| Abstract: |
A detailed survey of iron and wootz steel production sites in four districts of northern Telangana has revealed valuable material and archaeological evidences, related to the manufacture of iron and use of wootz steel. Some attention-grabbing rituals and smith community participation are presented. Wootz manufacturers belonged to the Kammari or blacksmith community. In particular, five groups represent the so-called <i>panchannam varu</i>, which include blacksmiths, goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, carpenters and sculptors (idol makers). Iron smelters are different from wootz makers. The community involved in iron extraction was called <i>muddakammarulu</i> or <i>muddakolimi kammarulu</i>, who are also referred to as <i>bayatikammari</i> or <i>advikammari</i>. In most of the wootz production villages we find a temple devoted to the Goddess Mammayee. She is considered the Goddess of Metalwork. Mammayee is the Goddess of iron, the Goddess of smith families. She is being offered prayers by the smith communities in all the villages even to this day. Most of the temples are now in a totally dilapidated condition. Only one temple at Kalvala village in Karimnagar district is still intact and focusing on the age old tradition. There are two temples of Mammayee and there is also a street called Mammayee Wada at Konasamudram village. The careful study of the culture and traditional life of the blacksmiths of this region will be highlighted. Finally, the results of field survey and investigation on existing culture and tradition of the wootz steel manufacturers of this region are presented.
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