On behalf of the Creative Cluster, at the prestigious Sushant University, whose strong legacy in Design education that goes back in time, the School of Design organised a two day workshop with three Master Artisans and their team on the following crafts: Woodcarving and Meenakari on 18th and 19th April 2022, 10am onwards in A 202/A 203, as a part of the World Heritage Day Celebration.
This initiative was taken to raise awareness about the traditional materials and techniques of India and a lifetime opportunity to learn from a very talented set of individuals that have a strong creative legacy to share.
The workshop was led by Shilp Guru Vinod Jangid and Dr Inder Singh Kudrat along with their team of esteemed craftsmen.
The Indian subcontinent is well known for its age-old traditions and culture which have been passed on from generation to generation majorly through art and craft practices and techniques.As we know, craftsmen derive their inspiration, innate wisdom, and skills not from books but from nature and their surroundings.
Following is a little research on the crafts that were covered in the workshop:
Meenakari is an age old art form of decorating metal with coloured enamel. It is reputed for its excellent designs and beautiful colour combinations. The artisans who practice this art form are called ‘Meenakars’. The art form mainly involves making colourful jewellery and other objects or decorative pieces.
Raja Man Singh of Amber found the Technique and Bought Persian craftsman from Lahore to Rajasthan back in 16th Century and gave the art a set of Indian Flavor and explicit look, the craft flourished under Mughal patronage. The close alliance of Mugal and Rajputs lead to the flourishing time of Meenakari. As the time passed by Jaipur became the hub for Meenakari.
Wood Carving is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. The phrase may also refer to the finished product, from individual sculptures to hand-worked mouldings composing part of a tracery.
The making of sculpture in wood has been extremely widely practiced but survives much less well than the other main materials such as stone and bronze, as it is vulnerable to decay, insect damage, and fire. It therefore forms an important hidden element in the art history of many cultures.
The workshop provided the students with limitless learning and hands-on experience of the craft, which helped them to go beyond our horizons and create something new. The workshop started with a theory session where we learnt about our ancestors who used to practise the art of meenakari on silver metal. A wide product range that included a bird, pendants, trays, gangajali, and a swing was also shown to us. It was a sight to behold. The next part of the workshop was about understanding the patterns of meenakari engraving. All the students explored and sketched different patterns so that we could see from the eyes of artisans how to handle the intricate patterns of meenakari. After that, they learned how the metal piece is carved out of the copper sheet, the functioning of the tools involved in this process, and the technique of filling the colors made from the natural stones into the engraved piece. Lastly, they saw how the piece was kept in the kiln for the colors to melt and harden.
This workshop sensitized the students to design interventions in the context of current market needs and trends on the lines of dying art forms. It was a good opportunity to learn from National Award Winning craftsmen and gain insight into the working of their minds in the creative spectrum.
Professor Harminder Singh along with all the faculty members at SoD with the support of our Dean Professor Sasi Menon and Dr. Piplani were able to successfully organise this event.
Various organizations across the country have joined hands in keeping these art forms and traditional crafts alive, respecting the integrity of tradition their authenticity.
School of Design at Sushant University, one of the top universities, is continuously playing its part in upholding these values by constantly providing a platform for the interactive sessions through workshops and seminars with eminent personalities.
Student Contributors: Suhani Gupta, B.Des PD Sem 4
