Barat Set No. 7 — Gulabi Meenakari Wedding Procession (Varanasi)
Barat Set No. 7 — Gulabi Meenakari Wedding Procession (Varanasi)
Barat Set No. 7 — a wedding procession in Gulabi Meenakari, the pink-enamel craft of Varanasi. A horse rider with trumpet leads, a caparisoned elephant carries the canopy (howdah) with pearl drops, and a camel rider follows — all on one floral enamel base, in deep blue, green and gold enamel with the craft's signature pink (gulabi) detailing.
GI-authenticated. This piece is made by a registered GI Authorised User of Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft: GI No. 397, Authorised User No. AU/18215/GI/397/25, Certificate No. 16311, registered 06.09.2022 (Class 27), sealed 21 April 2023 at the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai. Only pieces made in Varanasi, in the traditional way, by authorised users can carry this name.
The craft. Meenakari is enamel fused onto metal at high heat. Varanasi's Gulabi Meenakari — pink enamel worked on a white base — is its own tradition, protected by a Geographical Indication tag since 2015.
Meet the maker — Arun Kumar Verma, Varanasi.
A generational Gulabi Meenakari artisan of Varanasi, Arun Kumar Verma learned the craft from his father, Amar Nath Verma, watching his grandmother, uncle and father at work — and has practised it for about 30 years. His work has been exhibited abroad, including in Germany, where it was much appreciated. In his own words:
“मैं अरुण कुमार वर्मा, गुलाबी मीनाकारी कला का पीढ़ी-दर-पीढ़ी कारीगर हूँ। जब से होश संभाला है, तब से अपने आप को कला, कलाकृति और कलाकारों के बीच ही पाया। मैंने ये कला अपने पिता जी अमर नाथ वर्मा जी से सीखी है। इस कला में मेरा अनुभव लगभग 30 वर्षों का है। अपनी दादी-माँ, ताऊ और पिता सब को काम करता हुआ देखकर छोटी उम्र में ही मैंने इस कला की बारीकियों को सीखना और साधना प्रारंभ कर दिया था। आज माननीय प्रधानमंत्री और माननीय मुख्यमंत्री जी की कृपा से हमने अपनी कला का प्रदर्शन जर्मनी तक किया है, जहाँ हमारी कला बहुत सराही गयी है।”
Size: 6 × 1.8 × 3.5 inches (approx.).
What you get: One Gulabi Meenakari Barat procession set (No. 7) — horse, elephant with canopy, and camel on a single base.
Care: Each piece is handmade, so colours and minor details may vary slightly. Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from water, perfume and direct sunlight.
Craft: Banaras Gulabi Meenakari (GI No. 397, GI-tagged 2015). Made in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.