Aluminium is a silvery-white, lightweight, extremely versatile metal with a number of advantages, it is recognised for being both lightweight and flexible. It can be cast, melted, formed, machined and extruded meaning that it can be manufactured into a variety of shapes and then subsequently fabricated to suit a whole variety of uses. Aluminium is the second most-used metal in the world after iron. Bauxite is used as the main raw material in the manufacture of aluminium. It is a clay mineral found in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Odisha is India's largest bauxite producer accounting for about 49% of the total production followed by other states.
Because of low price, easy availability and agile behaviour, artisans in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan use this metal frequently in their art forms. Some designs are colorfully painted, and some are coated in silver and gold and then oxidised to give that antique look.
