Magam Soliya «FULL × METHOD»

Magam Soliya: Unraveling the Legacy of Kashmir’s Lost Silver Craft

The Crisis: Why is Magam Soliya Dying?

Walking through Magam town today is a melancholic experience. Where once a thousand karigars (artisans) hammered silver, today fewer than fifty elderly masters remain. The reasons are multifaceted:

1. Location and Identity

• Location: It is situated in the Hambantota District in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, near the town of Ridiyagama.
• The Tank: The term is most commonly associated with the Magam Soliya Wewa (ancient irrigation tank/reservoir).

2. The Invasion of Machine Imitation

Markets in Mumbai, Delhi, and even the flea markets of Kashmir are flooded with "silver look" pieces made of German silver (nickel, copper, zinc) or stainless steel with machine-stamped designs. These cost a fraction of the price and require no skill to produce. The average tourist cannot tell the difference, and thus genuine Magam Soliya struggles to compete. magam soliya

3. Naqashi: The Chasing

The final stage involves fine etching on the front surface to define the details—veins on the leaf, feathers on the peacock, or the petals of a lotus. The tool used is a kalam (a fine steel pen), struck with a light hammer to produce thousands of tiny dots or lines. When light hits a finished Magam Soliya piece, it shimmers like moonlight on a lake. Magam Soliya: Unraveling the Legacy of Kashmir’s Lost

The Technique: A Dance of Fire and Patience

What sets Magam Soliya apart from ordinary silverware? The answer lies in its three distinct stages: Hamkari (raising), Marori (repoussé), and Naqashi (engraving). Location: It is situated in the Hambantota District