The peculiar art of Meenakari, also known as Mina Kari, involves decorating or adorning numerous types of metals with vibrant colors in dynamic designs of birds, flora, and plants. Iranian artisans developed it. There after, Mongolians communicated the technique to other nations, including India. Mughals, adored elaborate Mughal jewelry. As a result, they were acquainted with Shahi artwork. The artisans not only do Meenakari Art of Rajasthan on jewelry but also on handicrafts and artefacts.
Raja Man Singh of Amer of Rajasthan embraced it in the 16th century, who requested the Meenakars to visit Rajasthan from Lahore. Thanks to him, these Meenakars were able to bring their art to Jaipur. Since then the craft was able to flourish. Since then, people use Meenakari art on jewelry and even handicrafts, including valuable products used in gifting due to its large demand and heritage value.
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The procedure of making Meenakari Art:
A range of metals play major role in making Rajasthani and Rajputi Meenakari jewelry designs. Artisans use silver, gold, brass, copper and many other alloys. They combine metal oxides with a pigment. Further, crystalline powder glass to create enamel colors. The artists purchase and send enamel colors from Amritsar (in Punjab)as well as from foreign lands of France and Germany.
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Enamelled Poetry – Meenakari On Silver Masterclass With Jaswant Kumar Meenakar
What is a Masterclass Workshop?
Rajasthan Studio has specially curated personalized Masterclass Workshops. This ensures the privilege of one to one learning from the expert artists. We only take limited seats in each workshop. Not only you can understand the art technique vividly but also practically do it along. Take back best of the learnt skills and art pieces.
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Sources of colors:
The science behind it is that the oxide concentration. The concentration determines the shade of the color. The concentration is very important for the output. The artists burn the product in the kiln. As a result, the colors of the combinations appear correctly. They make primary colors, red, blue and green from oxides of iron, cobalt, copper respectively. Thereafter, comes the secondary colors. Violet is made from manganese carbonate, Yellow is made from potassium chromate. Black is made from a mixture of cobalt, iron and manganese.
Meenakari is classified into three types according to whether the lacquer is opaque, clear, or translucent. Additionally, the designers use clear glass, the powder of several precious stones in the coloring process. To produce another type of stunning jewelry, the skilled artists use Meenakari frequently in association with Kundan.
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In the market, one may discover a wide range of Meenakari goods. Apart from anklets, and earrings, there are several home décor products such as on vessels, side seats, temple tablets, key chains, jewellery boxes, picture frames and other showpieces are among the many distinctive goods available.
The artists choose metal with unique characteristics. The distinct traits give special effect to the designs and enameling. For example, gold may accept any hue, silver can only accept blue, yellow, and green. Gold has been the most popular base metal for jewelry. however, people prefer silver more commonly in accessories like jewelry boxes, silverware, and artwork. In the light of growing popularity, many Meenakari boxes are now popular for occasional gifting material, selling throughout the year.
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Creators of this Art:
This trade is ancestral, and thus, the legendary artists have passed it down from generation to generation. Various craftspeople, each with a distinct purpose, are involved in the process. Meenakars are the artisans of Meenakari work. Nakquash created the original designs, followed by the Sonar or goldsmith. Kalamkar is the one who stylizes the motifs and is then followed by Meenakar, who is the enamelist. Furthermore, Ghotanwala or polisher are the ones who polish the output. The Kundansaaz or the stone setter adorns t with gems.They pass it to the Patua or stringer for final stage. Each craftsman has a vital role in the chain of processes that leads to this beautifully finished product. Regrettably, experienced craftsmen have grown rare in recent years and that leads all the work duties to a single artist.
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In a nutshell:
Each state or city has its distinct style. Meenakari still holds significance many parts of India. The styles in which Meenakars create this art form varies not only in cities but also in regions within the same city. In Rajasthan, Jaipur is rapidly becoming India’s Meenakari craft epicenter. Also, in parts of Banaras, Crimson colored Meenakari is the most famous hue. Most parts of both Delhi and Jaipur produce a large amount of gold enameling. Udaipur and Bikaner are the major center for silver enameling which is equally important.
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