Mysore Wood Inlay : Understanding the History and Present of the Art Form

Indian artwork has always mesmerized the world because of the handiwork that goes into it. Out of the many Indian art forms that are practiced by hand Mysore wood inlay work remains the most exquisite. A product of many days of precision and patience of the most skilled artisans, wood inlay work involves carving out a particular design on a wooden base using a very sharp tool and filling the hollowed-out part with new material which can be wood of contrasting colors, brass, resin, and even gold and silver. The base is usually of Mysore rosewood but other types of wood can also be used. For instance, Sheesham wood is used to make furniture with inlay work.

Engraving and Filling the Inlay With Black Charcoal (Source: D'Source)

Wood inlay work is done on furniture, jewelry boxes, decorative items like wall hangings, wood inlay paintings, etc.

Not only is it done to decorate wooden surfaces but also to fix a damaged wooden product by covering the ruined area with inlay work.

History of Mysore Wood Inlay -

Having its roots way back in the 18th century, this art form is believed to have originated in Persia. However, it made its way to India from a town called Srirangapatna in Mysore in present-day Karnataka. After that, there was no looking back. The popularity of the art form only grew and most of that happened under the patronage of Tipu Sultan and the rulers of the Wodeyar/Wadiyar dynasty.

It is believed that artisans who practiced this art were employed by the Maharaja of Mysore to work on the Mysore Palace and evidence of this can be seen in the form of rosewood doors in the Amba Vilas Hall of the palace.

During the earlier stages, only Mysore rosewood was used as a base for the artwork, and inlay work was done primarily with ivory.

Making of Mysore Wood Inlay Work -

The process of creating a Mysore wood inlay work is very time-consuming and requires a lot of effort. Artists put days of undivided attention and skill to make these masterpieces come to life. The first step in the process is selecting the base and the design to be carved onto it. Let’s take a look at the steps involved in this process.
The first step involves creating the base for the inlay work. The wood required for the base is selected from a variety of options like Sheesham, Teak, Mysore Rosewood, etc, and is cut into planks of different shapes. The shape of the base could be square, rectangle, circular, or oval. Once that is done, it is made smooth and even by buffing out the edges and the surface.
After that, the design is either drawn on the surface using a free hand or first made on paper and then transferred to the base. If the artist prefers to draw them on paper first then carbon paper or even regular printer paper is used. Even stencils can be used to trace the design for inlay.
The third step involves using a marking knife to trace over the outline of the design. Then the wood inside the outline of the design is hollowed out. Groves at least 2-3 mm deep are made. The recess is removed using chisels and what is left behind are groves ready to receive the inlay material.
Once the groves are made clean the next step begins. This involves laying the inlay material in the groves. Glue is used to keep the design in place. After that, a hammer is used to beat the surface. This is another attempt to ensure that the design won’t move out of place.
Any gaps in the groves and the inlay are filled using a mixture of glue, rosewood, and sawdust. Using sandpaper the excess inlay is removed. This gives a smooth and even finish to the surface.
Finally, the surface is polished using beeswax and then lacquer is applied. This gives a clean and lustrous appearance to the product.

Wrapping Up -

The wood inlay is one of the most loved art forms from India especially the Mysore wood inlay which is created by taking Mysore rosewood as a base. It is an almost 400-year-old art form that flourished in the Mysore region of Karnataka. It involves taking a wooden base and laying designs of brass, resin, or contrasting wood in it.

Creating wood inlay products takes days and a lot of precision, focus, and hard work by artisans. These products are not only a sight to behold but also keep the rich cultural heritage of India alive.

FAQs

Q. What is inlay painting?

A. Inlay paintings are created by making grooves on a surface and inserting designs of contrasting colored elements in them.

Q. What is wood inlay craft?

A. Wood inlay craft involves hollowing out a wooden surface in a certain design and laying in brass, contrasting colored wood, or even gold and silver.