Latest news with #craftsmanship
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cheap alms bowls imports hit Sri Lanka makers, monks
The alms bowl is a symbol of monks, yet in Sri Lanka artisans are struggling as cheap substitutes flood the market, igniting a debate over Buddhist tradition and quality. The village of Panvila has long been associated with craftsmen who produce the humble "paathra", the special bowl that forms part of the eight essentials donated to monks and which is used to ask for food. Thenuwara Badalge Sarath, 65, says he is the only blacksmith left in a village that once supplied much of the country. "When I learnt the craft from my father, there were more than 10 families in the neighbourhood who made these bowls," Sarath told AFP, while hammering a piece of scrap metal into a holy utensil. "Today, I am the only one keeping up the tradition. My son died recently in a road accident, and there is no one to carry on this line of work after I am gone," said the fourth-generation craftsman. He spends about a week producing a batch of five to six bowls from discarded steel barrels. He sells each for 600 rupees ($2), but competition from cheap imports is tough. "There are aluminium bowls that come from abroad. They are cheaper and lighter -- we can't compete," Sarath said at his village smithy, near the southern tourist resort of Hikkaduwa. - Karma drives demand - The Buddhist-majority nation of some 22 million people has just over 42,000 monks, but the demand for bowls is disproportionately high because of the positive karma attached to offering them to temples. Kirinde Assagi, a leading Buddhist monk, said the alms bowl forms part of the eight items for a monk to lead an ascetic life and spread the teachings of Buddha, along with two robes, a razor, a straining cloth, a needle and thread, and a belt. "The bowl is his livelihood. When a monk goes out begging with his bowl, he gets sustenance", Assagi said. "Because gifting 'ata pirikara' to monks brings enormous good karma, devotees clamour to donate this," said the monk, in reference to the eight-item package. At his Gangaramaya temple in the capital Colombo there were nine such packages donated within an hour one weekend. - 'Mountain' of discarded pots - Assagi says most of the bowls however are of poor quality, made out of aluminium and unfit to serve food in. In a storeroom at the back of his temple, there is a huge pile of bowls that monks say are not suitable even for offering food to household pets. "I will show you a mountain of begging bowls that we have discarded. We make holes at the bottom and repurpose them for potted plants." Monks in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos traditionally seek alms every morning, underscoring their simple life and demonstrating that their livelihood depends on others. But the influx of cheap bowls is impacting the dawn ritual. "We see the practice of monks begging slowly dying off as the quality of the bowls goes down," he said. The Gangaramaya temple in Colombo has campaigned to improve the quality of utensils offered to monks and revive the ritual of seeking alms. Assagi said the Thai royal family has in recent years gifted more than 27,000 high qualitiy stainless steel bowls to Sri Lankan monks, most of whom are followers of the Siam sect of Buddhism practised in that nation. Unlike the financially well-off Gangaramaya, smaller temples are known to sell their excess bowls back to the market in a move that undermines traditional craftsmen such as Sarath. "When the bowls go back to the shop from a temple, we find it difficult to sell our produce," Sarath said. He is trying to convince devotees that there is less merit in offering bowls that are being regifted. aj/rsc/pjm/ecl
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bust of Sheffield's 'last little mester' Stan Shaw unveiled
A bust of a craftsman described as a "Sheffield cutlery legend" and the last of the city's "little mesters" has been unveiled at his former Stan Shaw spent almost 80 years hand-crafting blades for customers, including members of the Royal Family and famous rockstars, before his death aged 94 in bronze likeness, created by Sheffield artist Chris Denham, has been mounted on a plinth at Kelham Island Museum, where Mr Shaw worked from 2009 until his retirement in Shaw's son Kevan said: "He was just our dad when he was alive, but after his death, we suddenly realised how well-thought-of and important he was to Sheffield." The "little mesters" were a network of self-employed and specialised metalworkers in the city who rose to fame during the Victorian Shaw became an apprentice when he was 14 years old and spent the rest of his working life forging, grinding and finishing Elizabeth II and members of Elvis Presley's band were among those who received Denham, also a friend of Mr Shaw and his family, created a clay sculpture of the craftsman's head, which was scanned using laser technology to produce two accurate metallic other, which was made from stainless steel, is already on display at Cutlers' Hall in son called it a "true likeness" down to "the cracks on his face from 90 years of work and age"."We are so grateful to everyone involved in making this happen," he Museums chief executive Kim Streets said: "We're delighted to welcome this celebration of Stan and his legacy to the museum."Stan was a true master of his craft and it's wonderful to see him and his remarkable career recognised here, where he is remembered so fondly." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Major repairs at Grade I listed hall in Colchester completed
Restoration work to make a Grade I listed hall safe for visitors again has been assessments in 2022 found serious concerns with the ceiling at Moot Hall, on the second floor of the town hall in Colchester.A £350,000 project to repair and preserve the ceiling had been a success and the public would be able to return to the hall from July, the city council leader David King said: "To see it restored with such care is inspiring. It has taken thousands of hours of craftsmanship, and the result is something our city can be proud of." "My thanks go to the skilled and dedicated team who brought this beautiful space back to life. Thanks to their efforts, the Moot Hall will once again serve as a civic, cultural, and community landmark," he Hall is renowned for its high ceiling, stained glass windows, and custom-built Norman and Beard Town Hall was built in 1898 by architect John Belcher but surveys carried out in 2022 uncovered critical issues in the plaster's support system, evidence of water damage and condensation, structural weaknesses, debris build-up, and added loads from of the hall had taken almost 9,500 hours of skilled craftsmanship over a six-month period, the council began following a formal application to Historic England, along with comprehensive bat and owl surveys to safeguard protected species. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cheap alms bowls imports hit Sri Lanka makers, monks
The alms bowl is a symbol of monks, yet in Sri Lanka artisans are struggling as cheap substitutes flood the market, igniting a debate over Buddhist tradition and quality. The village of Panvila has long been associated with craftsmen who produce the humble "paathra", the special bowl that forms part of the eight essentials donated to monks and which is used to ask for food. Thenuwara Badalge Sarath, 65, says he is the only blacksmith left in a village that once supplied much of the country. "When I learnt the craft from my father, there were more than 10 families in the neighbourhood who made these bowls," Sarath told AFP, while hammering a piece of scrap metal into a holy utensil. "Today, I am the only one keeping up the tradition. My son died recently in a road accident, and there is no one to carry on this line of work after I am gone," said the fourth-generation craftsman. He spends about a week producing a batch of five to six bowls from discarded steel barrels. He sells each for 600 rupees ($2), but competition from cheap imports is tough. "There are aluminium bowls that come from abroad. They are cheaper and lighter -- we can't compete," Sarath said at his village smithy, near the southern tourist resort of Hikkaduwa. - Karma drives demand - The Buddhist-majority nation of some 22 million people has just over 42,000 monks, but the demand for bowls is disproportionately high because of the positive karma attached to offering them to temples. Kirinde Assagi, a leading Buddhist monk, said the alms bowl forms part of the eight items for a monk to lead an ascetic life and spread the teachings of Buddha, along with two robes, a razor, a straining cloth, a needle and thread, and a belt. "The bowl is his livelihood. When a monk goes out begging with his bowl, he gets sustenance", Assagi said. "Because gifting 'ata pirikara' to monks brings enormous good karma, devotees clamour to donate this," said the monk, in reference to the eight-item package. At his Gangaramaya temple in the capital Colombo there were nine such packages donated within an hour one weekend. - 'Mountain' of discarded pots - Assagi says most of the bowls however are of poor quality, made out of aluminium and unfit to serve food in. In a storeroom at the back of his temple, there is a huge pile of bowls that monks say are not suitable even for offering food to household pets. "I will show you a mountain of begging bowls that we have discarded. We make holes at the bottom and repurpose them for potted plants." Monks in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos traditionally seek alms every morning, underscoring their simple life and demonstrating that their livelihood depends on others. But the influx of cheap bowls is impacting the dawn ritual. "We see the practice of monks begging slowly dying off as the quality of the bowls goes down," he said. The Gangaramaya temple in Colombo has campaigned to improve the quality of utensils offered to monks and revive the ritual of seeking alms. Assagi said the Thai royal family has in recent years gifted more than 27,000 high qualitiy stainless steel bowls to Sri Lankan monks, most of whom are followers of the Siam sect of Buddhism practised in that nation. Unlike the financially well-off Gangaramaya, smaller temples are known to sell their excess bowls back to the market in a move that undermines traditional craftsmen such as Sarath. "When the bowls go back to the shop from a temple, we find it difficult to sell our produce," Sarath said. He is trying to convince devotees that there is less merit in offering bowls that are being regifted. aj/rsc/pjm/ecl
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Glenview Doors' Steel & Glass Interior Doors: Where Modern Design Meets Timeless Craftsmanship
Elk Grove Village, Ill., June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As modern design continues to evolve, Glenview Doors is proud to spotlight one of its most in-demand product lines: interior steel and glass doors. Known for their sleek profiles, minimalist styling, and exceptional craftsmanship, these doors offer a stunning way to bring light, structure, and personality into any space. Crafted in Europe using premium Swiss and Italian steel profiles, Glenview's steel interior doors feature cold-rolled steel with a durable powder-coated finish, ensuring long-lasting beauty and structural integrity. Every door is engineered with precision magnetic latching, and tailored to fit each project's unique vision. "Our steel and glass doors are fully customizable," says the Glenview Doors team. "From configuration and finish to glass type and sizing, we help builders, designers, and homeowners bring bold, functional design to life." Glenview Doors offers a variety of configurations, including single and double doors, barn doors, pocket and sliding systems, pivot doors, fixed dividing walls, transoms, sidelights, and corner units. These doors elevate everything from minimalist interiors to sophisticated wine rooms (yes, insulated glass options are available). Standard finishes include five contemporary color options, with custom finishes available to meet any aesthetic. Whether used in a home office, entryway, bedroom, or luxury entertainment space, Glenview Doors offers a refined steel solution that blends seamlessly with today's interiors. Unlike many products in the market, Glenview Doors prioritizes quality from the inside out: High-end steel profiles sourced from Europe Meticulous craftsmanship and clean welds Smooth, easy installation Design flexibility without compromise Steel interior doors are available through Glenview Doors' extensive network of dealers nationwide, serving homeowners, builders, and architects looking for elevated, modern interior solutions. To explore the possibilities and find a local dealer, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Glenview Doors
