Fusing Tradition and Modernity: Exploring the Revival of Banarasi Pink Meenakari

Of the few remaining enamellists, says that unlike the vibrant enamelling in reds, greens and blues of Jaipur and New Delhi, where the white enamel is left stark, the Banarasi craftsmen delicately add pink to the predominant white enamel. The chased and engraved areas are filled in with enamel, which is composed of chemicals like those contained in glass. Its base is vitreous with a small percentage of metallic oxide that is used as a colourant, and hollow silver forms are filled in with lac to give them weight. For enamelling, the Meena (enamel) is finely ground and mixed with water. A few drops of rose attar (essential oil) is added to help fuse the enamel. The water is then soaked up by a cotton wick and the piece is fired in a small electric kiln. The enamels fuse at different temperatures, so they are fired depending on the hardness needed.

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