The story
Gulabi meenakari is a fine enamelling craft of Varanasi in which pink and other colours are fired onto silver or other metal. Only a small number of artisan families practise it, mostly in the old city. It is one of Varanasi's ODOP products and has a GI tag.
In numbers
No published source we could open prints current numbers for this cluster.
GI tag
- Banaras Gulabi Meenakari CraftApplication no. GI Application No. 397; Registration No. 225GI Registry, IP India - Application 397: Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft
Ways in for a newcomer
- Enamelled jewellery and gifts for premium retail and corporate buyers
- Collaborations with jewellery designers
- Training new artisans through apprenticeships
- Online sales with GI proof
Problems the cluster faces
- Very few skilled artisans left
- High cost of silver and slow production
- Imitations using paint instead of fired enamel
- Limited marketing beyond Varanasi