MARBLE HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY - AGRA

Abstract: The history of Indian handicrafts goes back to almost 5000 years from now and it is the most effective way to understand ancient Indian design journey and one of the most impressive path is through the handicrafts of Agra i.e, marble handicrafts and inlay work which completely tells us the story of the condition of handicrafts in India.

Introduction :  Agra

Agra has been immortalized as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn’t take much for the roving eye to discover that there's more to Agra than just the fabled TajMahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery. Agra was known as Agraban in ancient times, is one of the oldest cities of India. The fascination for stone has transcended all times and ages.A freeze-frame from a resplendent era that's long since gone by. In the great epic 'Mahabharata' the region of Agra is described as 'Agraban' (an integral part of the BrijBhumi or the land of Lord Krishna).The latter part of Indian history outlines the origins of Agra to 1475A.D. However, Agra came into limelight during the rule of Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own.

Image 01: Shahjahan and  Mumtaj Mahal

Image 02: Marble work 

The visionary that he was and a great patron of the arts, Emperor Babar brought in a in the culture and life-style among the people of Agra, which then brought forth some of the finest craftsmen, artists, statesmen, warriors and nobility, this part of India had ever witnessed. The golden age of Agra's history, thus began to set in.

Image 03: handicraft showroom near Gokulpura

The fascination for stone has transcended all times and ages, but this craft in Uttar Pradesh reached artistic heights of excellence during the Mughal period when TajMahal was created. It is believed that the first master craftsmen came from Iran and Afghanistan when the Tajmahal was made. They settled in Agra and taught the skill of the marble carving to mostly Muslim community, and it continues to other communities later on.Apart from Florence in Italy, Agra is the only place in the world where all kinds of marble inlay work is being done professionally.

Image 04: Artisan(Gokulpura)

There are around 3,000-4,000 marble carvers or inlay craftsmen in Agra or even more than that who continue to live around the Tajmahal in slum colonies in the Nai ki Mandi, Gokulpura area.About 4,000 artisans, the living force behind this age-old tradition, can be found creating wonders from stone in these areas.

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While basic cutting and carving aided by machines is done by skilled sadakars, exclusive inlay work, requiring expertise similar to cutting and polishing of jewellery stones using chisels and grinding stones is done by experienced pachikars.There are two categories of karigars, known as sadakars and  pachikars.

Image 05: marble products for export

Image 06: One worker need one day to cut this flower out of gem stones.  

While basic cutting and carving aided by machines is done by skilled sadakars, exclusive inlay work, requiring expertise similar to cutting and polishing of jewellery stones using chisels and grinding stones is done by experienced pachikars.

The main markets for shopping for marble artefacts in Agra are near the Taj Mahal complex, Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road. The UP State Emporium called Gangotri at the Taj Mahal Complex, offers a range of marble handicrafts at economic prices.

Foreigners are especially big buyers. All the shops allow tourists to visit their factories, which are behind the shops, for an inlay demonstration by the karigars, and to watch the craftsmen cut and carve the marble.

the artwork on stone is a combination of carving, inlaying engraving, sculpture and undercut (art of making multi layered decorative items out of one single piece of stone, hollowed from inside).

Image 07: my guide for the visit artisan and exporter shri jagdeesh prakash sharma

Designs are made by cutting the stone and varying fine patterns on it. In fact, stonecutters and sculptors work hand in hand. The base material of work is

Marble, Gorara soapstone and occasionally Cuddapah.

Image 08: Artisans doing inlay work (Nai ki mandi)

Outstanding creations :

 

The 72-year-old National Award winner for marble carving, Hafiz Ahmed had recently made a 12-feet model of the Taj, weighing five tonnes replicating the finest details of the original and the jewelled inlay work. It is hard work, says Imtiaz, where skill up gradation is necessary. Knowledge of geometry, drawing, tracing and exact calculations is important.

Image 09: Award winning replica of tajmahal

"I am particularly keen that art traditions of Agra should be kept alive and, for this, I am willing to teach even my enemies," says Fazal Mohammed, who has been awarded a Padma Shri."The slicing of marble, the inlay work, the stone cutting, the correct placement of semi-precious stones, everything demands absolute and total concentration. Nothing should go wrong even by a millimetre," says Imtiaz. His colleague — another maestro, Fazal Mohammed, 72, collaborated with two others for three years to make a Taj Mahal replica valued at Rs 3 lakh.

Image 10: soamibagh samadhi

  Presently, the most important work by the marble carvers of Agra is being carried out at Soamibagh, 15 km from Agra, and houses the samadhi of the founder of Radha Swami sect. The 110 ft. high structure is built in pure white marble and nearly 100 marble karigars have been working on this mausoleum since 1904.

At present, this work is limited and enjoys an exclusive foreign demand.

References:

1.www.up-tourism.com

2.Personal visit to the place 

Bibliography:

Journals and Articles:

 The tribune – spectrum (Sunday, July 27, 2008 )

Websites:

 crafts.indianetzone.com

www.india-crafts.com

www.up-tourism.com