Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft

Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft, also known as enameling, is decorating metal surfaces by fusing mineral substances onto them. Introduced to India by the Mughals, this intricate process is often applied to Kundan jewelry, which is adorned with gemstones set against a layer of gold foil on one side. In contrast, the reverse side is lavishly enameled using the Meena technique. The luster of the meena, the enameled reverse side, enhances over time through contact with the wearer’s body and clothing. The brilliance of diamonds and other stones is beautifully complemented by the multicolored enamel of the meena. Varanasi, located in Uttar Pradesh, is one of India’s oldest cities, boasting a rich cultural and historical heritage. Historically, the capital of the ancient Kashi region, Varanasi, was renowned for its prosperous meenakari art until about a hundred years ago, according to the current meenakari in the city.