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 Usta
Art came from Iran and flourished in the Mughal durbars
and inter-mingled with the Indian culture. Raja Rai
Singh, the then king of Bikaner, brought nawab Usta
artists to his kingdom. The Usta artisans of Bikaner
developed a new stream of Usta art. Their descendents
manifested its beauty in the form of Bikaner's fabulous
Junagarh Fort's Anoop palace, Chandra palace, karan
palace and Phool Mahal. The art is still thriving and to
this day , Usta craftsmen can be seen practicing the
art, handed down by their ancestors.
In 1989 Mo. Haneef was honored with state award for his
excellence in Manowati Gold embossing. He is being
awarded National award for his excellence in Manowati
 Gold
Nakkashi.
At present you can find usta work at Rampuria havelies
(Bikaner), Ajmer Dargah, Delhi Mizamudin Oliya and
Mazaar of Amir khusro the Junagarh fort. During the
British rule, leather goods came in use for embossing.
After the emboding, it is painted and gold is applied
where ever required. Then the ink is used with a brush
made of squirrel hair to fill the design withdifferent
colours.The Usta art of Bikaner is world famous for its
multidimensional forms like meenakari on camel hide,
golden meenakari and paintings in palaces and havelis of
Bikaner. Mohd. Hanif Usta is a leading Usta artisan of
the state. He has inherited this art form from his
forefathers and has created excellent pieces of art
displayed on camel hide, stone and metal.
Apart from Utsa art, there are varied forms of miniature
paintings that are quite popular with contributions from
eminent artists.
This art came in India with Usta artists from Iran
brought by the emperors and flourished in the Mughal
period in courts and palaces. A group of seven Usta
artists paintings can be seen even today in the rooms of
the Junagarh fort. During the British rule, leather
goods came in use for embossing. After the emboding, if
is painted and gold is applied where ever required. Then
the ink is used with a brush made of squirrel hair to
fill the design with different colours. The Usta art of
Bikaner is world famous for its multidimentional forms
like meenakari on camel hide, golden meenakari and
painting in Usta is a leading usta artisan of the state.
He has inherited this art form from his forefathers and
has created excellent pieces of art displyed on camel
hide, stone and metal. |
