mysore rose wood inlay Coffe table book

Marquetry Of Mysore

MARQUETRY OF

MYSORE

Marquetry Of Mysore

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Marquetry Of Mysore

MARQUETRY OF

MYSORE

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Marquetry Of Mysore

Publishing Details: Marquetry Of Mysore Published on August 2017, by the Fashion Communication Department of National Institute of Fashion Technology Site No. 21, 27th Main Road, HSR Layout, Sector 1 Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560034 Text @ Rishi Kumar Kandimalla , Niteesh Kumar Content & Interviews @ Niteesh Kumar Layout & Design @ Rishi Kumar Kandimalla Photographs @ Rishi Kumar Kandimalla , Niteesh Kumar Source: As mentioned under the photograph National Institute Of Fashion Technology ,Bacth 2015-19 All rights reserved by NIFT, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any from or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying without prior written permission.

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Acknowledgement: We would like to thank NIFT for giving us the opportunity to document and be a part of the crafts in Mysore. We would also like to thank Mr. Sanjeev CM for guiding and giving us feedback regarding the progress of the document. This document would not have been possible without the help of the artists and artisans who have showed us the value of the crafts. Last but not the least, we would also like to thank Mr. Habeeb Ur Rahman and Mr. Sommanna , we could not have done this with out your time and information.

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Marquetry Of Mysore

Contents:

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1. Preface

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2. About the craft cluster

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3. Mysore

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4. Mysore Rosewood Inlay

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5. Kings interest

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6. Motifs and Patterns

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7. Process

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8. Craft Cluster Places

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9. Artist Profile 10. Principle places

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11. Chronological References

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12. Glossary

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Marquetry Of Mysore

Preface: Craft has always played a signifcant role in India, from profession, to trade, to art and culture. Our crafts have evolved through the ages, from the time of Indus Valley Civilisation to the British Raj, and the more adversity we have seen, the more we have kept our art and craft close to our hearts. As much as it is an amalgamation of the vast diversity that India represents, it is also an oppor-tunity for each culture to mark its own identity. For us, this experience was flled with learning, an exchange of knowledge, ideas and more than anything else, an ex-change of stories, a glimpse into the lives of artisans, the people who make our homes and lives beautiful.

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About Craft Cluster The craft we got a chance to study is Mysore Rose wood Inlay, first adapted from the Persian style of marble inlay to wood inlay due to the abundant availability of Rosewood nearby. The artisans have sustained this craft for over two centuries and thanks to government initiatives, is nowhere near decline. Our aim was to highlight the origin and the evolution of the craft, in terms of materials, tools, patterns and motifs, as well as its economic and socio-cultural significance.

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Overview Of

Mysore The artistic and cultural values of traditions in Mysore refect the lifestyle of ancient India. The people of Mysore are known for their cultural heritage, which is a blend of nearly 2500 years old tradition and history with the present contemporary lifestyle. The traditional main arts and crafts of Mysore are Mysore Rosewood Inlay, Patchwork, woodcarving, Mysore Peta, Ganjifa cards, Mysore traditional paintings and Mysore silk. Even after decades, today the people of Mysore still give great value and respect towards the crafts.Known to be 5th cleanest city in India, Mysuru is known to be the heritage and cultural city of karnataka. Now, Mysore City is the headquarters of Mysore District, located in Deccan Plateau of south India about 772 meters above mean sea level. Mysore, also called as Mysooroo, is second largest city (after Bangalore) in Karnataka with an area of 129 sq. km. Mysore is the base of Chamundi Mountains about 142 km away from Bangalore.

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Ring road

Marquetry Of Mysore

Ri

ng

ro a

d St. Philomena Church

Arun Fine Arts

Mysore Jn. Mandi Mohalla

Mysore Jaganmohan Palace

Ring roa d

Youth Hostel

City Bus Station

Mysore place Shri Chamarajendra Zoo

Mysore Airport

Karnataka State Forest Industri Corporation

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Ring road

Chamiundi Hills

Mysore city’s central bus station. There is a bus connection to Mysore city from almost any major towns in the state and also from major cities of the neighboring states.

Marquetry Of Mysore The railway station and bus stands are located in the heart of the city. The airport is some 12km (7miles) south of the city.

Language Kannada Accessis the most widely spoken language in Mysore. A large number of the city’s speaks too. and If you speak either, inwith themodest city you will Youpopulation can reach Mysore city Urdu by air, road rail. do The not city has a small airport to the nearby cities (see Mysore Airport). not connectivity find it difficult to manage in English.

The city is a major railway junction (see Mysore Railway Station) on the rail map. There are many cross country as well as intercity express trains to Mysore. Places like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore are well connected by rail from Mysore. KSRTC, the state owned corporation , operate many bus services from Mysore city’s central bus station.

There is a bus connection to Mysore city from almost any major towns in the state and also from major cities of the neighboring states.

Roads

The Mysore Palace area located in the center of the city acts like a hub from The railway station and bus stands are located in the heart of the city. The airport is where radiate all the major roads some 12km (7miles) south of the city. out of the city. There are 5-6 such atrial roads converging at the center of Mysore city. These are the city’s primary road link Language to neighboring towns and cities in the region.

Kannada is the most widely spoken language in Mysore. A large number of the city’s

speaks Urdu too. If you do not speak either, in the city you will not find it A 6 population lane circular road called the Outer ring road, encircles the city at a distance difficult to manage in English. about 6km (4miles) from the city center.

Mannars Residency

The garden Inn Kaveri Hotel

The roads inside the city are essentially a grid of numerous parallel roads.

Roads The Mysore Palace area located in the center of the city acts like a hub from where Climate radiate all the major roads out of the city. There are 5-6 such atrial roads converging at

Radisson Blue Plaza

the center of Mysore city. These are the city’s primary road link to neighboring towns and

Mysore city is 770 meters (2,526 feet) above sea-level and enjoys a cool cities in the region. weather throughout the year. Those traveling to Mysore tends to bring warm A 6 lane circular road called the Outer ring road, encircles the city at a distance about cloths, the the winter day temperatures hardly reaches freezing levels.

6km though (4miles) from city center.

The roads inside the city are essentially a grid of numerous parallel roads.

Climate

Mysore city is 770 meters (2,526 feet) above sea-level and enjoys a cool weather Trin-Trin throughout the year. Those traveling to Mysore tends to bring warm cloths, though the

winter is daythe temperatures hardlyShare reaches(PBS) freezingsystem levels.

TrinTrin Public Bike of Mysuru, a world-renowned heritage city, the cleanest city of India and the cultural capital of the state of Karnataka in southern India. By virtue of its lifestyle, history, geography and Trin-Trin environment-friendliness, Mysuru pre-eminently qualified for the service of such a system.

TrinTrin is the Public Bike Share (PBS) system of Mysuru, a world-renowned heritage city, the cleanest city of India and the cultural capital of the state of Karnataka in southern India. By virtue of its lifestyle, history, geography and environment-friendliness, Mysuru Trinpre-eminently Trin is a Government Karnataka qualified for theof service of such aproject, system. partially funded by the

World Bank under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Grant. The project is planned Trin Trin is a Government of Karnataka project, partially funded by the World Bank under andthe implemented by the Directorate Urban Transport and Mysuru City Global Environment Facility (GEF) Grant.of The projectLand is planned and implemented by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport and Mysuru City corporation. corporation.

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Mysore Rose Wood Inlay R

osewood inlay work, practised for many centuries in and around Mysore, has always enjoyed the patronage of the Maharajas of Mysore.

The Persian art of Inlay, also known as Khatam, was adapted to this form of wood inlay by the artists brought to the south of India by Tipu Sultan.

The intricate rosewood inlay work shows an extraordinary sophistication of workmanship. Diligent craftsmen carefully etch designs narrating stories of the past on its surface. Traditionally, craftsmen painstakingly assembled ivory to fit into the etched grooves. But today, due to the ban on ivory, craftsmen meticulously inlay woods of different colours, acrylic, shell or plastic to create these impeccable works of art. The craft of rosewood inlay has evolved to satisfy modern trends. Rosewood doors, chests, mirrors, coffee tables, boxes, partition screens, cupboards, cabinets and dining tables decorated with inlay work are part of the wide range of products that fit in harmoniously in modern day dwellings.

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KING’S INTEREST

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he Persian art of Inlay, also known as Khatam, was adapted to this form of wood inlay by the artists brought to the south of India by Tipu Sultan. The intricate rosewood inlay work shows an extraordinary sophistication of workmanship,whole palace is covered with inlay work and they used ivory and pearlsfor the doors and main entrance.

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Motifs and Shapes The main motifs and patterns comprise of palace motifs. The main elements are majorly formed with lines, with the occasional use of a dot at the focal point of the main motif. The oral motifs are intricately linked with each other in small units.

The overall pattern or design of the rosewood inlay has seven sections. The very first section comprises of either floral motifs or animal motifs. These animals are specically either elephants or horses and may or may not be accompanied by men from the Dussera scenes. The second section comprises of only floral motifs. The third section comprises of either animal or floral motifs.

The consequent next two sections comprises of a double lined thin border known as ‘Dhassi’ which are thin strips of acrylic sheet that are cut out and placed in circular manner along the border line. The last section, also being the central floral section, has the larger ratio in terms of space and must comprise scenes from Dussera.

Gandaberunda pakshi

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Gandaberunda pakshi

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Mythology of Gandaberunda pakshi The mythology has it that Gandaberunda and sharabas(elephant headed lion) adjoining it are a union of a strength of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

When Lord Vishnu took Narasimha Avathar to kill Hiranyakashyap, father of his devotee Prahlad, his anger simmered even after Hiranyakashyap’s death. The entire universe, including the Gods and Goddesses went into a tizzy and wanted Lord Shiva to intervene.

Shiva came in the form of Sharaba(elephant headed lion) to cool Narasimha. In the effort, Lord Shiva lost his cool and Lord Vishnu had to take the form of Gandaberunda, a bird with huge feathers and two heads opposite to each other. The sharp beaks controlled the Sharaba, it is said.

Today, this imagery or insignia is the official symbol of the Karnataka State Government, which was adopted from the erstwhile Mysore State. The symbol still reads the slogan of Yaduraya.

Historian Prof P V Nanjaraje Urs, who has done a wide research on the Mysore State, tells that the Gandaberunda was first used as a sign on coins in Vijayanagar mints, many of coins which still exists.

Since then, the tradition passed on to generations.

In mid 16th century, history has it that Yaduraya embarked on a Vijaya Yathra across the Mysore State to consolidate their rank. During the Yathra, an ascetic encountered and gave him a red cloth.

The King offered pooja to it and accepted it as a blessing. He won all acclaim thereafter.

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Process

Seasoning

Sketching

Engraving

Polishing 34

Shape cutting

Levelling

Chiselling

Fitting

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1. Seasoning:

Seasoning of wood comprises of drying up the moisture from the

freshly cut wood to make it crack free. It is seasoned in factories, in large furnaces where the

2. Sketching:

The design of the art piece is finalized and drawn on a paper and

colours are marked on the drawing.

wood is treated to a certain temperature.

3. Shape cutting: After the sketches are done, its then stuck on the wood and cut into shapes with the help of a blade. It approximately takes one full day for a table, sofa and the other big products to cut all the pieces into shapes. this process is more complicated than a lazer cutting machine, all of it depends upon the skill of the artisan

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4. Chiseling:

Chiseling of the wood is done with the help of a hammer and a shading tool. the artisan uses a block of wood to chisel to lay the inlay in it.the depth of it would be around 3 mm.

Marquetry Of Mysore

5. Fitting: After chiseling, the cut out pieces are then fitted into the empty voids after

6. Leveling: After the surface has been dried, a thick paste of rosewood powder

applying it with a coat of adhesive and rosewood powder mixture. This mixture is applied

mixed with water is applied on the surface of the setting and left to dry for another half an

due to two reasons. Firstly, it helps to stick the pieces into the empty grids and secondly the

hour. After which the mixture is scrapped off from the surface leaving it leveled and giving

rosewood powder helps to fill in the extra gaps that have been left behind due to human

a lustrous effect.

error while chiseling. After the fitting, the whole of the surface is then left to dry for about half an hour.

7. Engraving: Engraving results in the process of adding details to the motifs and

8. Polishing: The last step comprises of polishing the whole of the product with

the figures with the help of the shading tool. After each detail is engraved on the wood,

the desired varnish to give it a lustrous look.

either charcoal or black wax is applied to add color and vibrancy to the details and also to fill in the empty engraved surface.

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Craft Cluster Places Karakushalanagara : which is a govt. assigned cluster for rosewood crafts-inlay,

craving and patchwork. Established in 1986, this was a scheme to provide accommodation and subsidised basic amenities to artisans. It started out with 86-100 houses, which have now grown to 480 houses, with every household practising some form of rosewood craft.

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Artisan Profile Name : Sommanna Karakushalanagara

Artisan Photo Identity Card

Artisan Identity Card

Apna Utsav ( Certificate Of Appreciation)

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Majeed fine arts

(madni mohalla),Mysore( karnataka) Owner: Habeeb Ur Rahman Work: Majeed Fine arts was started by Asif Khan’s father Majeed Khan, forty years ago. There are three branches in Karnataka from which one of them is located in Mysore. The workshop is located in Mandi Mohalla, Mysore.

Habeeb Ur Rahman started working at Majeed Fine Arts at a very young age, it was his interest in this field that took him to into this profession. It is a family business, where his siblings and him are taking forward their father’s work.

Today, majeed fine arts have clients mostly from South India, especially Andra Pradesh.

They get their wood supply: Madkari city ( coorg), Forest department.

Honours: National Award 1991 - 92 - Late. Majeed Khan National Award 1997 - Rahman Khan State Merit Award 2003 - Habeeb Ur Rahman

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Mandi Mohalla : The township is located in the downtown area of

Mysore city. It is on the eastern side of Mysore Junction railway station and on the northern side of Mysore bus station. The southern boundary of Mandi Mohalla is the Irwin Road and northern end is Bannimantap

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Principle places Mysore Palace: The Mysore Palace was built over one thousand years ago, in AD 897.

The palace has both Hindu as well as Muslim influences. After a fire in 1897, KrishnarajaWodeyar IV rebuilt the palace as we see it today, under the supervision of architect Henry Irwin. The main building is of massive gray granite with a tower covered by a gilded dome. A temple is situated within the royal courtyard.

The Chamundeshwari Temple: It is one of the noted Hindu places of worship and is situated atop the Chamundi Hill. On way to the Chamundi Hills is the Lalitha Mahal, a guest palace now converted into a heritage hotel.

St. Philomenas Church:

Karakushalanagara:

It was constructed during 1956 in honor of St. Philomena. It gives you a great looks at evening when the church light up. This church is about 176 ft in height and the main hall of the cathedral is so wide that about 801 people can seat up at a time.  It is one of the oldest churches in Mysore. Built in Gothic style, the church is among the largest in India. Stained glass windows and lofty towers give this cathedral an imposing look.

Karakushalanagara, which is a govt. assigned cluster for rosewood craftsinlay, craving and patchwork. Established in 1986, this was a scheme to provide accommodation and subsidised basic amenities to artisans. It started out with 86-100 houses, which have now grown to 480 houses, with every household practising some form of rosewood craft.

Jaganmohan Palace:

Mandi Mohalla:

It was constructed in 1861 by King Krishnaraja Wadeyor. But the palace was converted into an art gallery during 1915.

You will discover some finest collections of antiques of S.L. Haldekar, Ravi Varma, Nicholas Royrick and many other artists.

Musical clock of the palace is prime attraction.

Mandi Mohalla Township is located in the downtown area of Mysore city. It is on the eastern side of Mysore Junction railway station and on the northern side of Mysore bus station. The southern boundary of Mandi Mohalla is the Irwin Road and northern end is Bannimantap

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Chronological References Cluster Documents by NIFT Deccan Herald www.wikipedia.org Dsource.com/rosewood inlay

Glossary Mahisuru - ancient name for mysore Dhoodhi - white tinted wood Dhassi - border of thin strips of acrylic sheet Gesso - A paste made that is used in Mysore painting to give it an embossed effect Arabic gum - adhesive used to make gesso paste

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All rights reserved by NIFT, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any from or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying without prior written permission.