Taj Mahal is a great example of fine art as well as architecture. It symbolizes the love of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument is situated on the banks of river Yamuna at Agra and is protected by UNESCO. Several unprecedented features of architecture fused together have made this monument a real wonder of the world. This article focuses on the creative phenomenon of Taj Mahal especially the precise work of inlaying done in white marble with partially precious stones looking like paintings if you stand at a distance. In case you plan touring Taj Mahal in daylight, you will get an opportunity to explore such a beautiful work like this thus appreciating the art. The Taj’s edifice is erected by mortar and brick. The outward varnish has been done with Makarana marble which is white in colour. The marble had been mined from the Makarana quarry of Rajasthan and then camel carts transported it to the Taj city. Several auxiliary buildings in Taj Mahal site were made of sandstones red in colour brought from the local mines of Fatehpur Sikri.
This traditional work of inlay is rooted in Iran and Italy. The inlay art is locally called Pacchikari work and is termed as the work of Pietra-Dura in Italian language. The meaning of Pietra is stone and that of Dura signifies tough. Previously this work had been done with glazed tiles also in some buildings of Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkey. The greatest inlayers were summoned by Shah Jahan from distant places. They were given space in modern Gokulpura and Taj Ganj areas of the city of Agra.
These artisans were supervised by their master craftsmen at their houses on specific assignments. In the first place, they got the pattern designs which might be floral, Calligraphic or geometrical, from their supervisors. The artisans used to cut the patterns of marble according to pattern size. Thereafter they applied red impermanent colour on this white marble. Next, cavities were made by them in the marble.
Taj Mahal is nearly 400 years old but still it has not been affected by storm, thunder or heat.
Semi-precious stones of many types had been used in building the Taj of which Aquamarine, Amethyst, Turquoise, Tourmaline, Coral, Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Indian jade, Agate, Carnelian, Malachite etc. are prominent.
So it can be concluded that not appreciating the inlay art of stone in Taj Mahal Tour will be an injustice to evaluate the magnificence of Taj Mahal.
This traditional work of inlay is rooted in Iran and Italy. The inlay art is locally called Pacchikari work and is termed as the work of Pietra-Dura in Italian language. The meaning of Pietra is stone and that of Dura signifies tough. Previously this work had been done with glazed tiles also in some buildings of Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkey. The greatest inlayers were summoned by Shah Jahan from distant places. They were given space in modern Gokulpura and Taj Ganj areas of the city of Agra.
These artisans were supervised by their master craftsmen at their houses on specific assignments. In the first place, they got the pattern designs which might be floral, Calligraphic or geometrical, from their supervisors. The artisans used to cut the patterns of marble according to pattern size. Thereafter they applied red impermanent colour on this white marble. Next, cavities were made by them in the marble.
Taj Mahal is nearly 400 years old but still it has not been affected by storm, thunder or heat.
Semi-precious stones of many types had been used in building the Taj of which Aquamarine, Amethyst, Turquoise, Tourmaline, Coral, Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Indian jade, Agate, Carnelian, Malachite etc. are prominent.
So it can be concluded that not appreciating the inlay art of stone in Taj Mahal Tour will be an injustice to evaluate the magnificence of Taj Mahal.
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