By TwoCircles.net special correspondent
Lucknow: While passing through the narrow alley of Chikankari market in Old Lucknow, a subtle sound of hammer and chisel strikes your ear. The sound that started off a century ago is an effort by an engraving artist, Jawahar Hussain to preserve his ancestral art, notwithstanding a meager profit that he makes out of it. Jawahar (76) and his two sons Mohamad Hussain (45) and Dildar Hussain (39) make their living by engraving images on gold and silver and carving out many other state of art products without any machine assistance.
The small dimly lit shop located near Kaptan Kuan, half way through the market, was established by Jawahar’s grandfather Sajad Hussain in 1907. Since then times have changed and modern technology has overcome the traditional ways of engraving on metals. Undeterred by the improving and fast technologies available, and unscathed by the small amount that he makes out of it, Jawahar is firm in his stand with no plans of giving up his art and has passed it to his sons also.
“This is how my forefathers make their living. I do not mind if I go to bed without having dinner. Almighty is there to feed me and preserving the art contends me. That is what counts in the end,” says a soft speaking Jawahar.
As the dawn sets in after early morning prayers, father sons’ trio start their day and continue till the sun hides behind the horizons. Among the major products that the shop produces include crown of Hindu gods engraved on gold, silver or copper, alam (Flag) of silver metal used in Moharram processions, picture of Mary engraved in brass, the traditional copper beetle pots and copper made jhunjuna toy for kids exhibiting miniature engravings of animals all through it. One of the popular items produced in the shop are metal amulets with verses from Quran engraved very delicately over them. The art, admits Jawahar, is losing charm because of being time consuming and costly. He adds that the antique art form has lost its admirers in the present generation as people demand ready-made items.
“Even engraving a miniature of Rumi gate on some metal needs a day’s labour and costs Rs 200. When we apprise the customer about the price he thinks we are fools,” he adds.
Jawahar may have no takers in his native city, but his engravings can be found as far as in Iraq where he worked for two decades way back from 1953 to 1973. He also has some customers in the leading jewelers of the city some of them from posh market in Hazratganj.
“I used to get contracts of writing and engravings on metals from some of the leading jewelers in the city but that happens once in a while. I thank God I can make my ends meet. I do not need fame,” he adds.