Artisan Collectives

LUCKNOW, UTTAR PRADESH

Earlier the artisans used to make extensive products for the royal courts and the Nawabs of Avadh. Ivory was used to decorate sword and dagger hilts, plaques to adorn the sides of carriages and howdahs, palanquins, games like chess, chowpad, figures, utilitarian objects like combs, bangles and mirror frames, photo frames, furniture's etc. Today, bone has replaced the ivory and now the artisans make jewellery boxes, juda pins,bookmarks, pen stands, trinkets, paper knives, scissors, necklace, earrings, rings, cutlery, chilam's etc.

There are two types of work being done in Lucknow. One is Jaali work and other is Carving. Jaali work is influenced by Mughal culture. It takes inspiration from the architecture and nature. These jaalis are carved extensively on jewelry boxes, table lamps, earrings, etc. Different types of camel bone and even dyed pieces are used to make different decorative products. Carving in the round, comprising hunting and forest scenes complete with elephants, tigers, parrots, peacocks and flowering trees is done on thicker bones.The craving process involves the following steps like Cutting, Cleaning, Bleaching, Carving, Finishing.Tools used in bone carving are Basula, Reti-Files, Chausi, Tekora, Thiya Prakar, Drilling Machine, Buffing Machine.

The raw material mainly used is the Bone. Initially, Craftsmen used elephant tusk to Carve out elaborate decorative and functional pieces. Due to the ban on the use of elephant tusk artisans have now moved to alternative raw material and use bones of camel or buffalo. These bones are brought from the butcher's shop There are four types of bones procured from the animals are Tersoor, Gola, Bhanhu, Paaya. Tersoor is the common bone to be used in the process.

Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh emerged as a main center of ivory carving due to the patronization of the craft by the Nawabs. After the ban on ivory, artisans have been carving on camel and buffalo bone with great skill. Now there are only a few families who are still continuing this craft. There is inadequate promotion of the craft in India but it has a huge demand in the International market.

Jalaluddin, a bone carver and a national award winner has given shape to thousands of pieces of bone art in his illustrious career of 35 years. He owns a small workshop in Daulatganj locality of Lucknow uses animal bones and horns for carving.

The craft is practiced in Rajasthan, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Shambal and Lucknow. In Lucknow the craft is being practiced in many neighboring places like Mandiao thanna, Barabanki, Mahila Raiganj etc.Ivory carving or bone carving is considered as one of the luxurious crafts and therefore got patronized by the royals.

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