Taarkashi-Jaipur
Jaipur is considered to be the storehouse of various arts and crafts, especially the metal crafts. Metal was used to embellish the products used by the royals. A number of crafts got patronized by the royals due to artistic uniqueness and magnificent work demonstrated by the craftsmen.
Inlay work on wood can be categorized under two heads:
• Wire inlay
• Sheet inlay
As the name suggests, wire inlay, also called as Taarkashi; is the technique where thin strips of wire are engraved on the surface of wood. Whereas, in sheet inlay, also called as Pacchikaari; patterns are cut in sheet and then pasted on wood with the help of small and thin nails.
Taarkashi is believed to have come from Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. The craft was patronized by the royals of Jaipur and Amber. Sawai Jai Singh, during his regime invited Sri Sarwan Lal Misra a master craftsman from Mainpuri who started practicing and teaching this craft in Jaipur. Few people learnt the craft and carried the tradition forward. The craftsman traditionally made products for the royal families.
Vishwakarma Industrial area is around 20 km from Jaipur toward Sikar. The place is highly dominated by huge industries dealing in steel, wood etc. In this place a small family unit has been working in the Taarkashi craft from past 30-35 years. The unit is headed by Shri Hari Shankar Sharmaji, along with his four sons (field research conducted in the year of 2012).
