In today’s world there is no survival without technology. Technology has made life easier than before. However, the advancement of technology has had some severe consequences on the ways we lead our lives today. India is well-known for its culture and customs, and the world recognises us for the deeply ingrained cultural practices that exists within us. From the number of things technological incursion is affecting, art forms are facing toughest consequences of all times. One such forms of art is the Art of Kalai.

This art has existed from the time when food was cooked and consumed in copper and brass utensils. Earlier, copper and brass vessels were of maximum use in the kitchen but with the rapid intrusion of stainless steel and aluminium vessels, these vessels have become extinct from the contemporary kitchen.

Usage of copper and brass vessels was considered as first step towards healthy lifestyle however with time after regular usage of this type of kitchenware it requires maintenance which is when process of tin-plating is done consecutively every six to eight months. This practice of tin plating on the vessels is carried on by the kalaiwalas. Kalaiwalas dig a pit in the ground and prepare a temporary blast furnace, airing it with bellows after which the utensil faces blasting heat on and off sprinkled with a little nausadar (sal ammoniac or ammonium chloride) which is rubbed onto the utensil surface with a cotton cloth producing dense white smoke eventually. Finally, the utensil tin plating is finished after washing the vessel in water. The quick contact of the hot utensil with the water produces a harsh and sharp sound that fades when the utensil returns to its normal temperature.

However, as the world modernised, copper and brass utensils have been mostly supplanted by plastic, aluminium, and stainless steel, and with them the craft of kalai is slowly fading.If this artistry and the hard effort of such artisans are overlooked, such art forms may soon become extinct.

“We call ourselves Commandos in the truest sense, a designation that speaks volumes about our capabilities in the journalism sector. Every member of our team is well-equipped to deliver news in any essential mode, whether it’s a visual story, an article, a video, a documentary, or even a photo feature.

The conversation continues; Camera Commandos undergo one of the most rigorous training sessions to make ourselves resilient when we step into the fields of war, famine, drought, or other serious issues that terrify mankind. Throughout our training, we focus on developing our technical, emotional, physical, and mental skills. This involves gaining in depth knowledge of how a camera works, navigating dunes, climbing mountains, and learning how to interact with the world outside to serve our nation and provide news in a faithful manner.

Camera Commando is the Bridge between positive hidden stories and society

However, most importantly, we are taught about humanity. We are instructed to serve our people if they are in pain and to respect the emotions of individuals who have been victims of any mishaps.

Our team’s goal is to produce positive stories about our nation for the rest of the world to understand what India truly is. We believe that promoting positivity in journalism will shape people’s thinking. A journalist needs to comprehend the criticality of news before transmission, and the dissemination of positive news will contribute to building and maintaining national security, positioning India as a powerful nation consistently.