The colourful vibrance of lac bangles is an integral constituent of the cultural identity of Jaipur. Fashioned passionately at the hands of Manihars, a Muslim community, they adorn the wrists of Hindu women as an auspicious symbol of their ‘suhaag’. The beautiful set of green and red lac bangles popularly known as ‘Chuda’ remains the indispensable gift of initiation of Hindu women into marriage. The Jaipur lac bangles which were initially made in single colour moved on to assume the joy of a whole spectrum of hues, and became famous the world over.
Lac is a resinous pigment secreted by an insect called Laccifer lacca. It has high malleability and ductility allowing it to take desired shapes on exposure to heat. Colours are mixed with properly processed and purified lac and heated for better blending. And then this colourful lac is made into bangles, ear rings, necklaces and a variety of jewellery.
Nine generations back his ancestors moved from Arab to Indian subcontinent. Here the legendary horse traders came face to face with the beauty of Lac work, learned it and became an integral part of this soil and this art. They settled down in the novel city of Jaipur, the dream child of Raja Jai Singh’s passion. ‘Maniharon ka Rasta’, is a standing tribute to their unparallel skills and popularity, by this city. They have been colouring the royal family of Jaipur and Lord Krishna of Mathura in the colours of Holi with their Gulal-gotas for many decades now.
Mr. Avaz Mohammed is a shining beacon of this craft, who ornaments his lac work with his love for communal harmony, women empowerment, and youth development. He has brought national and International recognition to the craft of lac and his brilliance has been honoured with the National Award in year 2013.
Company name: APJ Handicraft, Address: 54, Maniharon Ka Rasta, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Phone no.: +91-9351225375, +91-9829164099, +91-8766152053
e-mail: apjhandicrafts@yahoo.com
-BY Nivedita Narayan (Asst. Prof, IICD)
