Sherpai Bowls
In the heart of West Bengal, Sherpai craftsmanship has been meticulously preserved through generations. Sherpai, also known as Suri bowls, are traditional wooden measuring vessels adorned with intricately embossed brass. These bowls were once essential tools for affluent farmers and zamindars, used to measure grains like rice and paddy. A complete set usually comprised twelve bowls, each representing a specific weight, from 1 mon (maund), 40 kgs to 1 chhataak, about 58 grams
The term “Sherpai” derives from “sher” (seer), a traditional weight unit, and “pai,” which ishalf a seer. Historically, these bowls were crafted from locally sourced woods such as mango, jackfruit, palm, sirish, or shisham.
Collaboration - Daricha Foundation X Resham Dor
At the heart of this effort lies a meaningful collaboration between Daricha Foundation and Resham Dor. While Daricha has been dedicated to researching, documenting, and disseminating the stories, techniques, and cultural context of Bengal’s rich craft heritage through its website, Resham Dor focuses on connecting these lesser-known traditions with markets and interior designers.
Through design-led interventions and curated collections, Resham Dor showcases the work of artisans like Bholanath Karmakar, allowing their skills to be appreciated beyond regional boundaries.
Together, they create a compelling synergy—where documentation meets design, and preservation finds expression in modern lifestyles. This collaboration not only highlights the cultural significance of crafts like Sherpai but also helps build awareness, expand economic opportunities, and fosters appreciation for handmade traditions among new and diverse audiences.
The Making of a Sherpai Bowl
Step 1 of 4
Wood Cutting
Traditionally, the bowls were hand carved and chiseled from the wood of the mango, jackfruit, palm, shirish (Albizia lebbeck) or shishu (Shisham/Indian Rosewood) trees; Today only mango and jackfruit wood are usedJackfruit wood is cut and shaped
Step 2 of 4
Bowl Turning
The lathe machine is used to turn the wooden block, shaping it into the form of a bowl and thus replacing the older method of hand carving.
This step signifies the transition from manual shaping to a more mechanical process in crafting the sherpai.
Step 3 of 4
Brass Ornamentation
The black colour of the wood is now achieved by applying a dye made from lamp black mixed with diluted resin of the babla tree and gum of the shirish tree; earlier, it was obtained by soaking herbs like haritaki and amla in water, while originally, the bowls turned dark naturally through years of use.
The bowls are ornamented with engraved and punched brass obtained from recycled brass buckets and utensils. The brass is heated on a furnace, flattened, and cut into required sizes. Two strips are hammered into shape, fused at the ends, and fitted to encase each bowl—the broader band near the mouth and the narrower one near the base. These bands are first knurled with concentric circles on a rotary lathe before being firmly fixed onto the bowl.
Step 4 of 4
Ornamentation and Finish
Designs are then meticulously engraved on to these bands using a manual drill. Small brass motifs of fish, birds, and flowers are mounted on the brass bands and exposed wooden surfaces using tiny brass rivets. These motifs are carefully cut by hand from brass sheets and engraved with a file while supported on a wooden contraption called the khanda-bari. Each bowl also has a brass disc at its base, traditionally incised with a rosette. From start to finish, more than forty steps are involved in the making of a sherpai.
Meet the Artisans
In the quiet lanes of Lokepur, Bholanath Karmakar and his family are the ones who carry forward the legacy of Sherpai. Bholanath learnt the craft from his father-in-law and is dedicated to shaping wood into beautifully balanced bowls. His commitment goes beyond mere craftsmanship—it’s a personal mission to keep alive a tradition that others have let slip away, standing as a bridge between past and present.
By his side, Bholanath’s wife, Ruma, and their daughters bring their own artistry to the process. They carefully createbrass decorations, in intricate designs that transform each bowl into a unique piece of cultural expression. Together, their work is a quiet but powerful testament to family collaboration, weaving the threads of craftsmanship, legacy, and creativity into every Sherpai bowl they create.
Both husband and wife have been honoured with national awards. Yet beneath the pride lies concern, because recognition alone is not enough. Without sustained support and training, the craft risks slipping into oblivion. Thanks to the efforts of Daricha Foundation and a few other organizations, the Sherpai has now begun to receive some exposure outside of West Bengal. Some interns were also trained. But unless intensive efforts are made to upskill and nurture the tradition and ensure sustained demand, the Sherpai will remain an endangered craft.
Explore the Sherpai Collection
By choosing Sherpai, you are not just purchasing a objectt. You are becoming part of a story—a living legacy of resilience, beauty, and tradition. You are helping to ensure that this art, born from the earth and the hands of those who understand it best, does not fade away. Together, we can bring dignity back to the artisans and give Kharad the future it deserves—strong, beautiful, and everlasting.
