Meenakari Art - Varanasi (The Art of Ornamenting Metal)

Meenakari Art - Varanasi

Introduction

Silver is considered as one of the precious metals that has been used for many years to make jewelry, coins, utensils and various pieces of art. Now a day’s silver is also used in dentistry, electronics, photography, mirrors and for industrial applications. Silver is a soft and shiny metal which is malleable and ductile and can be shaped easily by hammering. Silver is found in native form, either pure or an alloy in nature. Silver is commonly extracted from ore by smelting or chemical leaching. Meenakari, a unique art also known as enameling, the art of ornamenting metal surface with attractive colours and kundhan stones. In olden days the meenakari art was done on gold, but later on it is done on another metals like silver, copper, etc., The word ‘meena’ means the specific enamel or colour used in this work where as in other words mina is the feminine form of minoo in Persian which means heaven and meena refers to the blue (azur) colour of heaven. Mughals introduced this unique art to India during 17th century. The one who does meeankari art known as meenakars. These meenakars belongs to the particular caste of kshatriyas and classify themselves with the name of meenakar or verma. Meenakari is not just limited to traditional jewelry but expands into more modern products including bowls, ashtrays, key chains, figures of deities and decorative showpieces. Meenakari is famous in various places in India and Varanasi is one among them. The meenakari in Varanasi is characterized by pink strokes on white enamel hence it is known as Banaras Gulabi Meenakari. The art was learnt from Persian craftsmen who visited to Lucknow in 17th century. Artisan prefers silver for meenakari art because of the price and lustrous surface. Involving in meenakari is bit typical hence it is very important that the artisans have technical hand to get aware with its process. Mr.Ramesh Vishwakarma form Varanasi is well known artisan with more than 33 years of experience in meenakari art. He got this talent from his father Mr.Late Ramadhar Vishwakarma and he trained his family members for the same. This art is famous in the name of Banaras Gulabi Meenakari because of its unique style and colour combination.

Tools and Raw Materials

Following are the tools and raw materials required for Meenakari Art:

• Silver Sheet: The basic raw material for meenakari art.

• Forceps and Holder: To hold the metal sheet.

• Metal Sheet Cutter: Used to cut the silver sheet according to the size and shape.

• Glass: Raw material to prepare enamel for meenakari.

• Mortar and Pestle: To grind the glass into a fine paste or powder.

• Liquid: Made of pomegranate seeds and water.

• Molds: Its used for metal casting.

• Impression Tools: To emboss the metal sheet.

• Hammer: Its used for stamping metal sheet by hammering.

• Furnace: Electric furnace is used to heat the enameled metal.

• Water Soluble Flux: To solder the two silver pieces.

• Hand Gas Burner: To heat the metal sheet.

• Brush: To paint the craft.

• Furnace: To heat the enameled craft.

Making Process

Silver sheet is the basic raw material for meenakari art. Initially the silver sheet is cut according to the required size. The molding and casting is done by melting silver waste to make an impression tool for the peacock’s body and pedestal. Then the sheet is placed between the metal mold and impression tool to get a desired shape by hammering and then the embossed sheet is exposed to the heat to make it soft. Again the reheated sheet is hammered to get a better shape. Using metal sheet cutter the unwanted area is removed and the two parts of the peacock’s body are fused together by binding a preheated thin silver wire. The small pieces of silver sheet are dipped in water-soluble flux and then placed on the craft to join the two parts by firing through hand gas burner.

Filing the top edges of the craft for the neat finish. Then the clawed feet of the peacock are attached by making a small hole on the body. The feathers of the peacock are embossed by hammering the impression tool on silver sheet and joined to the peacock’s body. Whereas the silver pedestal for the craft is embossed and joined in the similar method. The enamel for the craft is done by powdering the glass (which is available in the local market of Varanasi) using mortar and pestle. Mixing the powdered glass with liquid made of pomegranate seeds and water to give a shining surface. Then the meenakar (one who does colouring) starts decorating the craft by applying attractive colours. The head, neck and chest parts of the peacock are painted with royal blue colour and the feathers are enameled with the combination of blue and green. Different colour glasses are used for different colours. The enameled craft is heated in the furnace where the colors fuse and harden to become one with the surface for long lasting glossy surface. The heat of the furnace is set between 750 to 850º C. The kundhan stones are added to embellish the artwork. It is important to confirm that the hardest colour is used first and fired. Then the metal is cooled to start with the detailing. The preheated craft is painted with the unique colour combination of pink on white, which is again heated in the furnace. Finally the enameled body, clawed feet and the feathers are joined together.

Products

Silver is one of the adorable metal because of its soft white lustrous surface. Mr.Ramesh Vishwakarma is one of the skilled craftsmen for meenakari art. The group of artisans including his family members also makes lord Ganesh, horse, mirror, conch, tortoise, frog, elephant etc., in meenakari art form. Silver meenakari dancing peacock and silver meenakari elephant and riders are the most famous meenakari idols. The price of the meenakari craft starts from INR 150 to 35,000 and weighs up to 500grams, which depend on the design. The meenakari artworks are promoted through Government added Central cottage industries emporium, Delhi.