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Brass Copper Bronze Mumbai, since 1963

Hastimal Valchand
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Dinner and thali sets in kansa and brass

A thali set lays one person's meal on metal: the thali, katoris for dal and sabzi, a glass and a spoon.

Choose a ready set, or put one together piece by piece. Every set and piece has its own code, and the quotation lists every piece.

Ready sets

Kansa dinner sets, from plain to etched, a child's set, and brass thali sets in a glossy or matte finish. Each set's pieces are listed on its quotation.

Thalis

The plate the meal is served on. Choose the diameter and whether it has a raised rim or compartments.
More thalis

Every thalis with sizes and codes

Katoris and watis

The small bowls set on the thali for dal, sabzi, curd and sweets. A setting usually has two or more.
More katoris and watis

Every katoris and watis with sizes and codes

Glasses

A glass for water beside the thali, in the same metal and finish.
More glasses

Every glasses with sizes and codes

Spoons

Spoons for the table, and serving spoons for the dishes.
More spoons

Every spoons with sizes and codes

Kansa or brass for the table

Kansa (bronze)

Bell metal: copper with tin, pale gold when polished, and the traditional metal to eat from in Bengal and Odisha. It is hard and rings when struck, but it is brittle: a dropped piece can crack on stone. Serve on it, wash it by hand and dry it at once.

Kansa utensils

Brass (pital)

Copper with zinc, a warm yellow-gold. By weight it usually costs less than kansa, because zinc costs less than tin. Brass thali sets come glossy or matte. Serve sour food such as curd, pickle or tamarind for the meal only, and do not store it on bare brass. Wash by hand and dry at once.

Brass utensils

Comparing with steel for daily meals? See kansa vs stainless steel and brass, copper or kansa.

How many settings to order

  1. 01

    Count the settings

    One ready set is one person's setting. For a family of six, or a table of six guests, ask for six of the same code.

  2. 02

    Or build them

    Choose a thali, the katoris, a glass and a spoon, each by its code, and give the quantity of each.

  3. 03

    Send the list

    Send the codes and quantities by the enquiry form, WhatsApp or phone. The quotation lists every piece and its price.

Kansa or stainless steel: which is better for daily thalis?

Stainless steel is the practical choice for heavy daily use and the dishwasher. Kansa is the traditional choice for the table: heavier, warmer in colour, and washed by hand. As a high-tin bronze, kansa can crack if dropped on stone, where steel would dent. Many kitchens cook in steel and serve on kansa.

Is kansa safe for food? Does kansa need kalai?

Kansa is widely used without a tin lining for serving and eating: thalis, bowls and glasses. Sources disagree on cooking in kansa and on storing sour food in it. The common advice is to use kansa mainly for serving and eating. Don’t leave sour food standing in it for long.

Can brass, copper or kansa go in a dishwasher or microwave?

No to both. Dishwasher detergent and heat dull the metal and wear away the tin lining. No metal vessel should go in a microwave. Wash by hand with mild soap and dry straight away.

How do I clean a kansa thali (kansa ke bartan)?

Wash with mild soap and water and dry at once with a cloth. To restore the shine, rub with tamarind, lemon and salt, or a fine ash-based cleaner, then rinse and dry. Avoid steel scrubbers, which scratch the surface.

Why did my kansa glass or bowl crack?

Kansa is a high-tin bronze: hard, but less tough than steel or brass. A drop onto stone or tile can crack it where steel would only dent. A crack after a fall is not by itself a sign of fake kansa. Handle and stack it like fine tableware.

Thali sets as gifts: weddings, return gifts and housewarmings