21 February 2025

Seeven Seevathean: keeping tinware craftsmanship alive

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For over 20 years, Seeven Seevathean has been bringing metal to life in his workshop in Bambous. Working primarily with aluminum and sheet metal since tinplate has become increasingly scarce, he now creates everyday essentials like buckets, cooking pots for boulettes and halim, as well as cake moulds.

His craftsmanship is much sought-after across the island, especially as his trade has become a lot rarer with time.

Seeven’s journey into tinware making wasn’t a straight path. He first discovered the craft while helping a friend and gradually developed a passion for it before he briefly stepped away to pursue another love: driving heavy trucks. In 2004, determined to keep this traditional skill alive, he returned to tinware making and opened his own workshop in Bambous. Located along the main road in a bustling area much frequented by schools and street vendors, the workshop quickly became a cornerstone of the community, a place where Seeven truly feels at home.

Today, he goes beyond just preserving the craft, he is set on passing it on. His workshop has become a family affair, with his daughter as a young apprentice, and soon even his 14-year-old grandson, who has already started showing great enthusiasm for the art. Together, they create everything from storage boxes to watering cans, one of Seeven’s proudest creations.

His greatest wish though? To see his workshop thrive for generations to come, with his family continuing the legacy he has built.

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