Inlay Work

Inlay work is art which shows the Mughal area and strong Persian influence. The techniques which involve making shallow carvings on wood surface and it filled with metal or precious or semi precious stone.  Products like table, pots, trays, boxes have been decorated with beautiful inlay work.  States like Kashmir, Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan is known for their woof inlay work. Base metal is decorated with gold wire and enhance the beauty of swords etc.

Marble inlay is protected traditional art and expert artisans are skilled enough to do justice to this art as it involves delicate process and it involves carefully cutting and engraving marble shapes by hand.

Usage –

Smaller objects were widely used where form was reinterpreted in native style. There is different varieties of artefacts which ranges from table tops, elephants, animal forms, jewelry boxes and other decorative items. They are lot of products which are exported abroad and sold in local areas which give Romanian vibe. There is an area in Agra named Gokulpura – the shop are lines with inlay work products. Lot of artisans are working for them.

Significance–

• techniques which are used by skilled craftsmen and artisans.
• Gives indigenous touch and techniques to carve the motifs. It is considered as crown of indian art.
•  continuous development work in inlay art.
• Transition of simplicity in design and robustness of structural design

This stone inlay work holds a different intricate and exquisite taste of monuments in India with Agra being an important center. Tomb wall panels provide a variety of geometric panels in red sandstone and white marble with yellow sandstone and black stones.

There are different stone decorations made on pillars which is a great and remarkable inlay work in marble. They are finished in white marbles with profuse, delicate and intricate stylish inlet work. The craft is passed from generation to generation and it work as family legacy. It creates employment avenues to number of people who develop skills like in laying task, marketing and selling.

Design

• Abstract and geometrical patterns or themes
• Enormous complexity and unique place of calligraphy and demography in object designs
• Mughal monuments are built during different emperor having inlay work.

Few styles are –

• Geometric – these motifs are commonly used in pachikari. Patterns and ornamentations is assumed to express the Abstract and infinite nature which is supported to be formless and un expressed in human language.
• Floral – Floral motifs are most and widely used motifs in pachikari. With variety of flowers, blossom, leaves , botanical details.
• Arabesque – These motors are widely used in Pachikari products. Inspired from natural plants and flowers, curved leaves, stalks and blossoms. These motifs are repeated.
• Calligraphy – it plays an important role in design vocabulary as written word hold great Importance in Islamic culture.

Challenges –

• Craft is not able to provide permanent source of income for livelihoods despite the time and hard work.
• This great art pieces are not able to get recognition amongst localities and no demand in local market.
• Support of technology has been beneficial but it should be within limits.
• Introduction of electric grinders makes work faster but due to power shortages, manual grinders are used extensively.
• Process is labour intensive and time consuming.