CHOMBH

1. Object Name

Chombh

2. Kodava Name

Chombh

3. English Name

Small Metal Water Pot

4. Alternate Names

Chombh, Water Pot, Water-Drawing Pot, Small Metal Vessel

5. Short Description

Chombh is a small metal pot traditionally used for drawing and carrying water. Its compact, rounded form made it convenient to handle when collecting water from a larger water vessel or source.

6. Full Description

The Chombh is a small, rounded metal vessel associated with traditional household water use. The example shown has a broad, rounded body, a relatively narrow neck and a pronounced open rim.

Its compact size made it practical for drawing water and carrying smaller quantities for household use. The sturdy metal construction allowed the vessel to withstand repeated handling and everyday use.

Like many traditional household vessels, the Chombh served a simple but essential purpose. It reflects the importance of manually drawing, carrying and transferring water in traditional Kodava homes, before modern piped-water systems and contemporary water containers became commonplace.

7. Traditional Use

The Chombh was traditionally used for drawing water, transferring water from a larger source or vessel, and carrying small quantities of water for household use.

8. Design & Form

Chombh has a compact, rounded body with a narrower neck and an open, flared rim. The rounded lower body provides good capacity while the neck and rim make the vessel easier to hold and use when drawing or transferring water.

9. Materials

Metal, traditionally produced in durable forms suitable for repeated household use.

10. Method of Making

A metal Chombh would be shaped by traditional metalworking and vessel-forming techniques, with the metal hammered and formed into its rounded body, neck and rim.

The vessel would then be finished and smoothed to produce a functional water container.

11. Variants / Types

Variations may occur in:

• Size
• Body proportions
• Rim shape
• Metal used
• Degree of decorative work

12. Cultural / Functional Significance

The Chombh represents the everyday water-management practices of the traditional Kodava household. Its small size and practical form reflect a time when water was manually collected, transferred and carried as part of daily domestic routines.

13. Historical Context

Chombh belongs to the traditional household material culture of a period when water was generally drawn and carried manually rather than supplied directly through modern plumbing.

Small vessels such as the Chombh played an important role in transferring water from wells, tanks, larger storage vessels or other household water sources.

14. Traditional Location / Setting

The Chombh would have been used around the traditional household, kitchen, bathing area and water-collection points, wherever small quantities of water needed to be drawn or transferred.

15. Craftsmanship / Special Features

Its characteristic feature is its rounded, compact body combined with a smaller neck and flared rim. The construction reflects the ability of traditional metalworkers to create strong, functional vessels from sheet or worked metal.

16. Reason for Decline

The everyday use of Chombh declined with the introduction of:

• Piped water supply
• Modern taps and plumbing
• Plastic and stainless-steel containers
• Modern buckets and water vessels
• Changes in household water-storage practices

17. Revival & Continued Use

Chombh can be preserved through heritage museums, traditional-house displays and demonstrations of earlier household water practices.

Surviving examples are particularly valuable because they help document the range of vessels once used for everyday water collection and handling.

18. Preservation

Preservation should include:

• Documenting surviving Chombh vessels
• Recording dimensions and weight
• Identifying the type of metal
• Photographing the vessel from different angles
• Documenting its traditional method of use
• Recording oral histories associated with water collection and household practices