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The crafts persons of
India
excel in this art. With the evolution of new tools, techniques and skills,
they are now better equipped to cater to modern tastes.
Fully geared to meet modern
market demands, today the gold and silver plated articles produced are
usually plain or, even when ornamented are devoid of extensive encrustation.
Portions of silver articles
are sometimes covered with gold water. The designs thus formed are known as
the Ganga-Jamuna pattern from the rivers ganga and Jamuna which meet at
Allahabad
and flow together.
Lucknow
, the former seat of the Nawabs of Avadh Produces an extensive range of gold
and silver plated articles in a multitude of patterns. The designs resemble
those found in
Kashmir
. Owing to the strong Islamic influence, still prevailing, most of the
articles are highly ornamented, with repousse work depicting hunting and
jungle sense and floral motifs.
BRASS & COPPERWARE
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India is the largest brass
and copper making region in the world with thousands of establishments
spread all over For articles made out of one or more pieces of metal,
copper or brass sheet is first
marked out by a pair of compass and piece or pieces cut off by a scissor
called Katari. The required shape is made by alternate heating and
hammering, and is finally turned
on the lathe. The final polish to the article is given on the lathe itself.
Moradabad is famous for
utensils, both utility and ornamental, made of white metal and electropalted
brass and copper. The engraving is either sada (plain) or sia kalam.
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Modern streamlined
articles of Swedish design in polished brass or burnished copper are
also made here, satisfying the demand for modern accessories and
sophisticated interior decoration.
Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh
is the first city in India for the multitude of its cast and sculptured
mythological images and emblemata in brass and copper as well as household
utensils. In recent years Mirzapur has also emerged as one of the important
brass industries of Uttar Pradesh. Goods produced have an all India market,
with a portion being exported to other countries.
Some of the most beautiful
and interesting metalware of India for daily as well as for ceremonial
purposes crafted in Kashmir, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Tamil Nadu
and Kerala.
METAL ORNAMENTATION
Metal ornaments have been a
rave in all ages and times. The attractive contrasts in colours an textures
of metal has led to the evolution of metal ornamentation through techniques
like inlay, overlay, appliqué, fixing of colours etc.
Bidri
Bidri, a from of surface
ornamentation, takes its name from the city of Bidar situated north-west of
Hyderabad. The work is in black colour which never fades and is relieved
with silver and gold inlay. In Lucknow the art of manufacturing bidri is
believed to have been introduced from the time of the Nawabs of Avadh. The
Emperor at Delhi bestowed on them the dignity of the fish (Mahi Murattib)
Lucknow bidri, therefore, abounds in fish motifs, flora & fauna and vine
leaf patterns.
Enamelling
Enamelling
is the art of colouring and ornamenting the surface of the metal by
fusing over it various mineral substances. The beauty of the article depends
on the skill and resources of the worker and the excellence of the materials
employed. The range of colours obtained on gold is much greater than that on
silver, copper and brass. Three forms of enamelling are known to exist.
These include the cloisonné of Japan and China, the chamleve pattern
extensively practiced in Locknow and
Varanasi. And Jaipur specializes in enameled trays and trinket boxes.
IDEAL PLACES TO SHOP
Lucknow, Varanasi,
Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bihar.
So go ahead, shop to your
heart’s delight and take home an exquisite, piece made in
India , just for you.
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