Beauty and glamour are the enduring qualities of jewellery. Kundan and enamelling are two outstanding forms of crafting jewelry. While kundan is used to decorate the front of an ornament, enamelling is used for decorating both sides. Enamelling not only enhances the value and beauty of jewelry, but also serves as a parameter to test the purity of precious metals.
Introduced by the Europeans, enamelling was widely used duing the Mughal period. The best specimens of enameled jewelry have been produced duting this period. Surprisingly, little has been written about this art. Hnadicrafted Indian Enamel jewelry examines the history and varied techniques of enamelling and also discusses techniques that closely resemble enamelling has deterioted, yet the demand for quality work, found only in old pieces, may lend a new lease of life to this art form.
Rita Devi Sharma is an epigraphist, numismatist and jewelry expert. She has revived the 'Takari Script' and her project on Himachal jewelry collection in the National Museum, Delhi, she has discussed the art of enamelling with Shri Jayant Chowlera, a jewelry expert, and enamellers across India. Her next publication is the Catalougue of 3421 punch marked coins of the Bharwani Hoard in the National Museum.
Muthuswamy Varadarajan was in the IAS from 1956 to 1991. He was then Member, National minorities Commission. As Secretary culture to the Government of India in the'80s, he orchestrated the Festivals of India, and exhibitions including the Henry Moore exhibition in India. A scholar of art and religion, he has several Carnatic music compositions to his credit, and in 1982, edited and published Nadopasana one, on India classical music and dance. Currently, he is Chairman, Expert Committee, National Museum, Delhi.
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