Lac Bangles

Lac bangles are perennially in demand, especially in north India, as they are considered an auspicious sign of ‘suhag’ or marriage by women, cutting across caste and community lines. The industry now involves nearly five million people, most of them local tribals. Muzzafarpur town is one of the largest production centres for lac bangles in Bihar. Lac is an ancient material for obtaining colour, known and exploited by Indian craftsmen as a less expensive means of decoration and of applying colour. It is an insect-based resin that is collected and processed by traditional craftsmen as an effective substitute for precious mineral and synthetic substances. The bangles have an inner core of refuse lac and an outer layer of high-quality lac. Hot lac mixed with pigments and chemicals is rolled and stretched on a shaping mandrel that corresponds to the size desired. Mostly, the bangles are reinforced with an aluminium core. Value additions are made in terms of embellishments – glass beads, decorative wire, mirror pieces and even gold foil. The market value of the bangles depend upon the nature of the embellishments. The bangles are sold locally as well as supplied to places like Nepal, Patna, Vaishali, Begusarai, Siliguri, and Jhanjarpur. There is an increased demand for lac bangles during festivals like Chhattha Puja, local fairs and the wedding season.