Gulabi Meenakari of Benaras

Meenakari is an art sometimes called enamelling. This art was introduced in India by Mughals during the 17th century. The craft people who do this meenakari are known as meenakars. Gulabi Meenakari of Benaras is a meenakari characterised by pink strokes on white enamel. Gulabi meenakari products are like religious statues of gods and goddesses, traditional ornaments, decorative items, and motifs, including flowers, birds, and animals. The well-known artist from Varanasi is Mr Ramesh Vishwakarma, working with this art for the last 33 years. He learned this art from his father and trained his family members in the same profession.

Meenakari – Foreword

Meenakari is a unique art. Initially, the meenakari was done on gold, but later on, it moved to other metals. Meenakari has various kinds that depend on whether the enamel is opaque, transparent or translucent. Mughal introduced this rare art in India. Meenakari belongs to a particular caste of Kshatriyas known as meenakars. Nowadays, it’s not just limited to traditional jewellery; it expands to different products like bowls, keychains, decorative items etc. The meenakari are found in three different forms. 

• Ek rang khula Meena- In this form, only the gold lines are exposed, and single colour is used to cover the whole area
• Panch rangi Meena- In this form, five different colours are used green, light blue, dark blue, white and red
• Gulabi Meena- In this form of meenakari, pink is the dominant colour. Gulabi meenakari of benaras is a famous one

The Gulabi meenakari of Benaras belongs to Benaras city. This city is famous for its bathing ghats along the banks of the river Ganga. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the river to wash their sins.  The city is famous for its ghats; the craftsmen or the meenakars of the city make it famous too. The Gulabi meenakari of Benaras is very famous; pink strokes on white enamel characterise it.  Different tools are required for meenakari. The basic raw material for meenakari is a silver sheet. Silver is a precious metal used to make jewellery, different pieces of art etc. It is a soft and shiny metal. To hold the metal sheet, forceps and a holder are required. A metal sheet cutter cuts the silver sheeter in the size and shape required. Glass is a raw material to prepare enamel for meenakari. The glass is to be ground into fine paste or powder with the help of a mortar and pestle. The liquid is made of pomegranate seeds and water. Different moulds are being used for metal casting. To emboss the metal sheet, impression tools are required. A hammer is required to stamp the metal sheet. An electric furnace is used to heat the enamelled metal. A hand gas burner to heat the metal sheet and a brush to paint the craft.

Making a meenakari product begins with the raw material of silver sheets. In the beginning, the silver sheet is cut as per the required size. Making of impression by moulding and casting. After moulding and casting by hammering the impression tool. The embossed sheet is exposed to the heat and hammered again to get a better shape. With the help of a metal sheet, an unwanted area is removed. The embossed parts are soldered. The top edge is filled by using the filter. The glass powdering did by using the mortar and pastel for enamelling the craft. The powdered glass is mixed with liquid to make a paste. With the help of a brush, the craft is being coloured. After colouring, the enamelled craft is heated in the furnace. The preheated craft is cooled and decorated with pink colour. The painted craft is reheated in the furnace. At last, the different parts of the enamel are joined. 

The gulabi meenakari of benaras got GI tag in the year 2015. The colours used in the Gulabi meenakari of Benaras are natural and leadless dyes.

Conclusion 

Gulabi menakari of beneras is the famous craft. This craft got its GI tag in the year 2015. The Gulabi meenakari of Benaras belongs to Benaras city. This city is famous for its bathing ghats along the banks of the river Ganga. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the river to wash their sins.  The city is famous for its ghats; the craftsmen or the meenakars of the city make it famous too. The colours used in the Gulabi meenakari of Benaras are natural and leadless dyes. The Gulabi meenakari of Benaras is very famous; pink strokes on white enamel characterise it.