Koftgiri Art Making Process - Rajasthan
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A flame torch is used to heat the object.
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A handle is heated till its colour gets changed.
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It is fixed into a customised holder.
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Iron Chirani is sharpened before carving.
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Carving is done using Iron Chirani.
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It is heated again after carving.
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The colour of the handle is changed after heating.
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Hair like thin metal wire is used for inlay work.
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Iron pen and metal wire is used for inlay work.
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A metal wire inlay work.
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Upni is used to give the proper shape to the design using metal wire inlay work.
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Dagger with Sheath.
The art of decorating arms and weaponry is known as Koftgiri. This art originated in India around 500-700 years ago with the Mughals. An age-old craft is practised in Mewar district. Nowadays it can be seen in Jaipur and Udaipur. Koftgiri refers to the action of ‘beating’ the pattern into iron. Only a few families in Udaipur practice this unique art. One of them was Late. Shri. Rajesh Ghalot. He was practising Koftgiri since his childhood. After his sudden dismissal his wife Smt. Shyamlata Ghalot started practising this art. Both of them have been rewarded with many national and international awards.
The artwork is done by thin wire of gold and silver on objects made of iron metal like daggers, swords, shields, dagger heads, sticks, etc. First, all the items are heated and excavated with a finely sharpened edge. They turn blue when heated. The style in which it is to be designed is outlined. It is now filled with a hair-like thin gold wire and it is heated and suffocated with a Hukki stone. The wire melts and the design looks beautiful from the outside. This is how Tula Koftgiri's art is done.
For more details:
https://www.dsource.in/resource/koftgiri-art-rajasthan
