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Crafts / Nirmal Art

Nirmal Art

State
Telangana
Material
Wood · Gold lacquer
Rarity
Rare

Gold that glows on painted wood

About

Painted wooden toys and panels from Nirmal in Telangana, with a glowing golden finish.

Nirmal art is a painting and wood-craft tradition of the town of Nirmal in Telangana. It includes Nirmal paintings, done on wood or board in rich colours and a distinctive gold finish, often against a black background, and Nirmal toys, which are painted wooden figures of animals and human occupations. Furniture, screens and wall plaques are also made.

The artisans are known as naqash or nakash, a community of painters who traditionally painted scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and themes inspired by Mughal and Kangra miniatures. The name Nirmal gives the craft its identity.

Nirmal pieces include jewellery boxes, ganjifa boxes and playing cards, wall plaques and decorative items besides toys. The glow of gold is the craft's best-known feature: it was originally made from herbal juices, and the colours were extracted from minerals, herbs and plants.

How it’s made

Nirmal work begins with the base. For paintings, teakwood frames are made and a board is fixed on, and the surface is rubbed smooth with a sandpaper-like material. For toys and furniture, the wood is shaped and smoothed by hand.

The surface is first coated with a primer and left to dry, then with a lacquer coat which is again dried and rubbed smooth. The design is then drawn precisely, using chalk to trace patterns, and the surface is coloured with bright colours, such as black, brown and yellow, depending on the subject. In the traditional method the colours come from minerals, gum and herbs.

The last stage is the gold. Fine gold colour is applied to details such as borders, leaves and ornaments, so that the figure seems to glow, and the piece is varnished for a lasting finish. Because gold shows best against black, many Nirmal paintings use a dark background, which makes the colours and gold stand out.

Key features

  • Painted on wood or board with a golden finish
  • Rich colours, often against a black background
  • Toys of animals and human occupations carved from local softwood
  • Scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Mughal and Kangra miniatures
  • Made by naqash artisans of Nirmal town
  • Traditionally gold made from herbal juices
  • A craft that has survived the loss of its Nizam patron

History

Nirmal art is said to date back to the early fourteenth century, when it was practised by the naqash artisans. The craft is believed to have been patronised by the Deccan nawabs and by the Mughals, and the themes of Nirmal paintings show the influence of Ajanta, Mughal and Kangra art. According to a local account, the naqash families were brought to the town from Rajasthan in the seventeenth century by the local chief Neema Naik, after whom the town is named; this account is a tradition and not a documented fact.

The master craftspeople of Nirmal originally made the gold colour from herbal juices and the other colours from minerals and plants. This traditional method has largely given way to modern materials, and today synthetic colours and gold powder are used in many workshops.

The art has survived many ups and downs, the biggest being the loss of its patron, the Nizam of Hyderabad. Artisans also made furniture in the Nizam's time, and today the craft is a small-scale industry in the town. Toys are carved from local softwood and, in many workshops, painted with modern duco and enamel paints, which give them their typical shine.

Facts

  • 14th century An old craft. Nirmal art is said to have been in existence from the early fourteenth century, practised by naqash artisans and patronised by the Deccan nawabs.
  • Herbal gold Gold from herbs. The master craftspeople of Nirmal originally made the gold colour from herbal juices.
  • Epics and miniatures Rich themes. Traditional themes include scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as Mughal and Kangra miniatures.
  • Naqash A community of painters. The craft is practised by a community of artisans known as naqash, who live and work in Nirmal.

Market

Toys, furniture and decor

Nirmal toys, paintings, boxes, wall plaques and furniture are sold at state handicraft emporia, craft fairs and online. Painted animals and occupation figures are the best-known gifts. Many pieces are now painted with duco or enamel paints and gold powder, which give a typical shine; hand-painted ones show fine brushwork and a warm glow.

Sustainability

Local wood, traditional colours revived

Nirmal craft uses local wood and hand painting, and the traditional herbal and mineral colours are low-impact. Many workshops now use synthetic colours; choosing makers who use natural colours and responsibly sourced wood helps protect the heritage.

Products

  • Nirmal toys: Painted wooden animals and occupation figures
  • Painted panels and wall plaques: Scenes from the epics and miniatures
  • Jewellery and ganjifa boxes: Small painted boxes and playing cards
  • Furniture and screens: Painted wooden furniture
  • Coasters and small decor: Modern items with floral designs

Words to know

  • Naqash: The community of painters who practise Nirmal art.
  • Ganjifa: Traditional round playing cards, sometimes painted in Nirmal style.
  • Primer: The first coat applied to prepare the wood surface.
  • Duco: A modern glossy paint now used on many Nirmal pieces.
  • Kangra miniature: A style of miniature painting from the Kangra region.

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