The Blacksmiths of Papanaidupet
2007
Directed by Valérie Pichot
Collection From Africa to India
The village of Papanaidupet, 140 km north-west of Madras, is home to a community of blacksmiths who work in the traditional way. Heating and preparing the iron, fitting and welding are all part and parcel of the smithing trade. The traditional smitheries still in operation today provide an invaluable window on the past, both in terms of the technical processes used and the way work was organised and laid out. Studying these workshops helps us to understand archaeological vestiges and contributes greatly to our knowledge of ancient metallurgy.