Varanasi: Even as the world practiced yoga to mark the 7th International Day of Yoga on June 21, a master craftsman in Varanasi celebrated the occasion differently by making an idol in a yoga pose in ‘gulabi meenakari’ (pink enamelling), a Geographical Indication-tagged signature craft of the city.
Kunj Bihari Singh, a famed pink enamellist, crafted a 12-inch-tall statue, made of pure silver with fascinating colours, in a yoga pose, drawing the attention of connoisseurs and officials alike.
“Since the International Day of Yoga is promoted by our MP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi vigorously, I have tried to express my gratitude to him by making this craft on yoga theme,” said the national awardee Kunj Bihari, a resident of Lalghat area in the district.
“It is a beautiful piece of local craft giving a purposeful message,” said noted GI expert Dr.
Rajni Kant of Human Welfare Association who is instrumental in promoting local crafts and getting GI tag to Gulabi Meenakari of Banaras and many other art forms.
According to him, UP’s Varanasi stands next to Rajasthan’s Jaipur in the art of enamelling, and the nature of Banarasi pink is similar to Jaipur red.
The pink enamelling is considered as the most alluring and technical art of all metal decorations.
“Varanasi’s Gulabi meenakari is an ancient form of art in India that has been praised for the superb designs and combination of colours.
It is characterized by pink strokes on white enamel.
It is said to have been introduced in Varanasi by Persian enamellists who had come to India in the early 17th century at the peak of Mughal court.
National Museum of India, New Delhi and Bharat Kala Bhawan of Banaras Hindu University have collections of this art,” he further informed TOI.
Pink enamelling of Varanasi joined the coveted GI club in 2015.
Kunj Bihari also has the credit of propelling Banarasi GI-tagged craft out of geographical boundaries.
He showcased his art and talent at the Saudi Arabia’s prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival ‘Janadriyah held at Riyadh in February, 2018.
He had also displayed his crafts at the 55th General Assembly of the International Bureau of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland held from October, 2015.
One of his masterpieces, an idol of Lord Ganesha, was also included in a gift pack for then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to Varanasi on December 12, 2015.
He had received the National Handicraft Award (2015) from then President Pranab Mukherjee in December, 2016.
He was also awarded Ram Manohar Lohia Vishisth Pradeshik Puraskar of UP.