 Tarkashi, is a
type of inlay work where burnished copper, silver, gold or brass wire is set in wood
to create fine geometric compositions. The state of Uttar Pradesh is the major centre for
this work. Here brass is primarily used for Tarkashi. And in Manipur, once a major centre,
a single family maintained the craft for many generations.The process includes gluing of map (made on paper) of the design onto the plain
dark Shisham surface on which the inlay work is to be done. The outline of the design is
then incised into the wood with chisel. From a sheet of brass, 2-millimeter ribbons are
cut and tempered.
These ribbons are then placed on edge in an incised line
and hammered until it is flush with the surface. The brass comes in separate gauges; the
thickest used for strong outlines and finest for finer details of the design. The surface
is finally polished and varnished.
The craftsmen in Saharanpur use this technique to
decorate various wooden items they create. This includes boxes, tabletops, trays, wall
decorations, etc. |
