Meenakari - Informative & researched article on Meenakari
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Indian Crafts


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | RSS Feeds  | Free E-magazine
Indian Crafts : Indian Embroidery l Crafts of Indian States l Crafts of Union Territories of India l Types of Indian Crafts l Craft l Indian Craft l Indian Tribal Crafts l Indian Durries l Crafts of North eastern India l Indian Handicraft Associations l Indian Carpets
Home > Art & Culture > Indian Crafts > Types of Indian Crafts > Indian Metal Craft > Meenakari
Meenakari
The art of decorating metal with enameling which was introduced by the Mughuls.

Meenakari BraceletThe art of decorating metal with enamelling is known as Meenakari in India which was introduced by the Mughals though originated in Persia. Raja Man Singh of Amber brought this art to Rajasthan. He invited skillful meenakars from the Mughal palace at Lahore and established them in Jaipur, which became the center of Meenakari later on in India. Meenakari design needs a high degree of skill and techniques. Colours like red, green and white, dominate this art of enamelling. Nathdwara, Bikaner and Udaipur are the famous centres for silver Meenakari. Pratapgarh is known for glass enamelling. Delhi and Varanasi are also important centers for exclusive Meenakari designs. In India, Meenakari work has developed in the places like Punjab and Lucknow including the other Meenakari centres of India.

Meenakari is basically an ancient form of art in India that has been praised since its introduction for the superb designs and combination of colours. From the prime age of this craft, the artisans were named as `meenakar` who were involved in crating different Meenakari items. In some work, the entire object, such as pendant, is covered with this exclusive technique. On a typical pair of `kara` bangles with three-dimensional `makara`, elephant, lion or bird head terminals, additionally decorated with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, as they often were, is a dazzlingly opulent object that embodies a galaxy of goldsmith arts. A special type is `ek rang khula mina`, in which single-color transparent enamel fills all engraved area, leaving gold outlines exposed around figural details. `Pachrangi mina` (five-colour enamel) is a special multicoloured style of enameling. The five colours used are `safed` (opaque white), `fakhtai` (opaque light blue) from `fakhta` (a dove), `khula nila` (transparent dark blue), `khula sabz` (transparent green), `khula lal` (transparent red).

Meenakari Kundan PendantThe design for the Meenakari in India is made on the metal surface by the craftsmen called `chitras`. The design is engraved by the `gharias` such that depressions are created. Sometimes the Meenakari is combined with the art of `Kundan` to make the created articles an amalgamation of enamelling and stone carving. After the design is created the enameller applies different colours with brushes on the engraved design. The base is first covered by white or pink enamel, upon which different colours are applied in order of their hardness. It is then heated to enhance the richness of the colours. `Gulabi mina` (pink enamel) is derived from `gulab` (rose) which has been popularly associated with the Varanasi enameling style. It includes areas of painted enamel, generally flowers, executed in translucent pink on an opaque white ground. All other enameled areas on the object are created in the `champleve` style, which makes this a mixed style of enamelling. The technique requires at least five separate enamel applications.

When a single transparent coloured enamel is used to fill the ground around an opaque figure, various colour of ground like `lal zamin` (transparent red ground), `sabz zamin` (transparent green ground), `nil zamin` (transparent blue ground) are chosen to contrast with and set off that of the subject. `Bandh mina khaka` (opaque cartouche or outline) is a technique in which the figure in transparent colour is surrounded by an opaque enamel cartouche. The object when ready is polished and cleaned. Generally hand burnishes are used to cover any exposed metal.

MeenakariBoth silver and gold metals are used as the base for Meenakari work in India. At present time, Meenakari is done in the metals like silver and copper to suit the need and style of the modern people. In addition to the jewelleries and other items, the Meenakars create exclusive items that serve the decorative purpose. The items that are created with amazing artistry include Meenakari bowl set, chowki set, Hand Casted Meenakari Chowki with White alloy metal, Meenakari arm chair, Meenakari almirah, Meenakari roman chair, Meenakari gun box cum seater, utility box thrones, dining set, decorative frames, key holder, photo frames, ash trays, pen holder etc.

(Last Updated on : 24/04/2009)
  More on Indian Metal Craft...
 
Metal Art Metal Craft of Tamil Nadu Metal Craft of Andhra Pradesh
Metal Craft of Gujarat Metal Craft of Karnataka Metal Craft of Chhattisgarh
Metal Craft of Jammu & Kashmir Metal Craft of Jharkhand Metal Craft Of Orissa
Metal Craft of Himachal Pradesh Metal Craft of West Bengal Metal Craft of Uttar Pradesh
Metal Craft of Madhya Pradesh Bidri in India Meenakari
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Crafts
  • Lac Crafts of Karnataka
    Lac Crafts of Karnataka are known for the lacquered wood items prepared with proper care and artistry.
  •  
  • Embroidery of Punjab
    Embroidery of Punjab has a distinguishable character and the items mirror the exemplary artistry.
  •  
  • Embroidery of Himachal Pradesh
    Embroidery of Himachal Pradesh has a rich cultural heritage that is displayed in the creations.
  •  
  • Embroidery of West Bengal
    Embroidery of West Bengal represents the traditional heritage of this East Indian state.
  •  
E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free
E-Magazine on Indian Crafts

 
Meenakari - Informative & researched article on Meenakari
Sitemap
Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.