Inlay
work, particularly on marble, where it takes the name of pietra dura,
generated a lot of debate as far as its origin is concerned. Many
believe it to be typically Italian in origin but some contend it to of
Indian origin. The most accepted version, though, is that the form is
Italian in origin but the accomplished Indian craftsmen adapted it to
their needs, gave it an indigenous touch and used the technique to carve
out traditional Indian motifs that are today the crown of Indian art.
The
art of inlay work played an important role in not only shaping but also
in enlivening the structures erected by the Mughals in India. This is
evident in its most dominant form in the monument of love, the
incomparable Taj Mahal. Fine pieces of semi-precious stones embedded on
marble surface, a technique known as pietra dura, have beautified the
Taj Mahal.The decorative value that they have added to the mammoth
structure is as if Shah Jahan has decorated his deceased wife in bridal
make-up.
We
at Osquare endeavor to maintain this technique in its essence and
continue to employ the technique to make available to the world glimpses
of the Taj Mahal through our work. The over-2000 master craftsmen who use their skills to shape our vision are the 17th generation descendents of those very craftsmen who realized Shah Jahan's dreams. So particular has the clan been about keeping the art limited to only a small number of people that they have not even taught it to their sisters and daughters, lest they pass it on to their husbands.
The work of shaping crude stones to ornamental pieces of art is carried out with great precision. The stone and the marble are worked upon by two different artisans. Grooves, measuring 3-4 mm, are made at the appropriate places on the marble surface and, at the same time, the work of refining the stones is carried out. Amery stone is used to file and refine these stones. The sweat and toil that goes into this aspect can be realized from the fact that some of the pieces that are finally inlaid in the marble are as fine and thin as a needle.
The actual inlaying of these fine pieces of semi-precious stone also involves great artistry and complete mastery of the art. After all, each 2-centimeter flower bud inlaid in marble may be comprised of 10 or even 50 stones.
Truly, the skill is as intricate as the art itself. No wonder, then, that the work itself speaks for the skills of the people behind it.
