What is Meenakari?

Meenakari designing basically refers to the process of coating grooves or engravings in ornaments
with colored enamels. A wide variety of metals can be used for meenakari designing which include
brass, copper, silver and gold. The jewelry highlights depressions similar to a popular design or
animal figurines or images of gods and goddess. The idea behind this is to give the appearance of a
picture. The look of the pictures is enhanced by filling the enamels which gives a vivid clarity to the
theme according to which the grooves were designed. So, meenakari jewelry is used to beautifully
express various themes and occasions and give exquisite look to it. This is one of most applauded
features of the meenakari technique which distinguishes it from others.Meenakari is a delicate craft
that requires a lot of skill. Most sonars are called meenakars and practise this art only within the
family. It is very rare that this art form is passed onto someone outside the family.

Types of Meenakari Art

There are chiefly two types of meenakari art which are popular. First is “Ek rang khula” and the
other type is “Panchrangi meena.”

In Ek rang khula enamel, a single colour is used. When ek rang khula type is used for creating
meenakari jewelry for the bride, then it’s a wonderful idea to match the color with the bridal
clothes.
The word panchrangi refers to the use of five colours which include white, pale blue, dark blue,
red and dark green. These are such vibrant colors that their usage gives an exciting look to the
Indian traditional bridal jewelry.

Meenakari works can also be used in addition to Kundan jewelry which gives an amazing look to
the Indian brides.
Origin
Mina is the feminine form of Minoo in Persian, meaning heaven. Mina refers to the Azure color of
heaven. The Iranian craftsmen of Sasanied era invented this art and Mongols spread it to India and
other countries.
French tourist, Jean Chardin, who toured Iran during the Safavid rule, made a reference to an
enamel work of Isfahan, which comprised a pattern of birds and animals on a floral background in
light blue, green, yellow and red. Gold has been used traditionally for Meenakari Jewellery as it
holds the enamel better, lasts longer and its luster brings out the colors of the enamels. Silver, a
later introduction, is used for artifacts like boxes, bowls, spoons, and art pieces while Copper which
is used for handicraft products were introduced only after the Gold Control Act.
Initially, the work of Meenakari often went unnoticed as this art was traditionally used as a backing
for the famous kundan or stone-studded jewellery. This also allowed the wearer to reverse the
jewellery as also promised a special joy in the secret of the hidden design.