ABOUT TAARKASHI

• Taarkashi (taar meaning wire), is the technique of inlaying fine

flattened wire of brass copper or silver in wood . The patterns
inlayed are usually intricate geometric forms or florals from Mughal
arts. Metal inlay is a painstaking and highly skilled process. Tarkashi
work is seen in the old palaces and mahals of Rajasthan. These
palaces have beautifully inlaid doors with ivory and intricate floral or
geometric patterns. The same skilled craftsmanship is found in the
inlay work in thrones, howdahs and horse or camel saddles. Tarkashi
work is done on hardwood. In this process,dark coloured and
seasoned sheesham wood is used. The high oil content of this wood
allows the inlaid metal to be held securely. The patterns, usually
geometric forms or florals of Mughal inspiration, are drawn on the
wood and then engraved with a half round chisel and hammer to a
depth of 1 mm. Thin strips are cut from sheet metal, heated over a
flame, cooled to remove the temper in the strip and straightened.
The resultant metal strip is beaten into the previously created
grooves with a hammer. Small coiled dot-like forms called bhiriyan,
an element unique to tarkashi, are beaten directly into wood. After
the surface is evened with a sander, or silli, fine sheesham sawdust
mixed with diluted adhesive is applied over the entire surface until
all the gaps are filled. The object is then planed, sanded with a water
based emery paper and machine buffed to give it a smooth polish.
The art of inlay was highly developed in the Safavid era, during which
artists created precious works including doors, windows, mirror
frames, Quran boxes, inlaid boxes, pens and penholders, lanterns
and inlaid ornamented shrines.
The artisans from Jaipur are said to be the descendants of the skilled
workers of Manipuri in Uttar Pradesh. They migrated here during the
reign of Maharaja Jai Singh II. In each cubic centimeter of inlaid work,
up to 250 pieces of metal and wood are laid side by side. This craft
continues to enjoy a pride of place in the modern world.
Traditionally the work was seen on ornamental boxes and tables.
Now the designs can be seen on other utility items like trays, plates,
spice boxes, etc.
 ARTISAN PROFILE

• NAME: Ram Gopal Ji

• AGE: 59 years old
• Per month : 20.000
Rs he earns
Since 1968 his
family is working
and he started this
work in 1975. His
elder brother
Ramsingh Shilp
kala mandir. In
1983 he was
awarded state
metrit for tarkashi.
1.) National Metrit
award 2008
2.) National award
2009 ( by Pranav
Mukharjee)
3.) 2010 kala nidhi
Puraskar
 PROCESS

• Cutting of the wood The seasoned wood is cut to the required

shape and dimension according to the product to be made.
• Preparation of the metal strips This cutting is done free hand
without any marking. With the help of hammer, one side of the
edge is beaten to make it sharp. This side is cut with the help of
scissor having a width of approx. 2 mm. These thin strips of wire are
called as taar and used for inlay. The wires are further straightened
with the help of a Chimti.
• Marking The design and pattern to be made on the product are
either drawn directly or printed on a paper and pasted on the
surface of the wood.Mainly the artisans draw the design by hand
using scale, compass and right angle. The designs and patterns
made are mainly in grids which are marked on wood with the help
of marking tool.
• Inlaying The wire is held and moved with one hand along the
contour of the design and constantly hammered with another hand.
The prepared wire is used continuously till it gets over.
• Leveling After the design is complete by inlaying the
wire, the product is sanded with Silli to make the
surface even.
• Filling Burada is the saw dust of the same wood is
mixed with fevicol and water. This mixture is applied
all over the product with the help of a metal blade.
The product is then kept in the sun for drying. This
helps in filling the cracks, grooves and spaces left while
engraving or chipping of wood.
 MATERIAL

• COPPER
• SILVER GOLD
• BRONZE
• WOOD
Small products 34 gauge
Bigger product 28,30,26 gauge
 TOOLS USED

• Gunia (right angle)

• Prakaar (Compass)
• Chimti (forceps)
• Kainchi (scissors)
• Pakad (G-clamp)
• Hammer
• Chisels
• Scale
• Planer
• Divider
 RAW MATERIAL

• Copper from
Tripoliya Bazar
• Gold from Sonariya
Bazar
• Wood from sitapura
(a wood is used after
10 to 12 years
because natural
seasoning is more
good)