Kinnal Art and Bidriware

About Kinnal Art

• Kinnal art is a traditional wooden craft.
• It is known for handmade idols with vibrant colours and glossy finish.
• Location: It originated in Kinhal village of Koppal district in North Karnataka. 
• This art dates back to the 15th–16th centuries.
• Origin: It originated during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Key Features:
  • Materials used: The idols are made from Ponki Marra wood, which is soft and lightweight, making it suitable for sculpting.
  • Process: Each Kinnal idol is entirely handmade, and the process is laborious.
  • Artisans: The traditional artisans are called Chitragars, whose ancestors worked on the temples and palaces of Hampi.
    • only 25 families in Kinhal village currently practice the art.
  • Subject: The idols usually depict gods, mythological characters and animals.
• GI Status: Kinnal wooden idols have been accorded GI Tag.

About Bidriware

• Bidriware is a distinctive form of metal inlay work.
• It is known for silver, gold and brass designs against a dark background.
• Location: Bidriware developed at Bidar in Karnataka.
• Origin: The art form originated in Persia, while its development took place at Bidar.
• Bahmani period: It is believed to have developed under the Bahmani Sultanate in the 14th century and reached its zenith during the reign of Allauddin Ahmed Bahmani II.
• Key Features:
  • Material used: The base is made using a zinc-copper alloy, sometimes with tin, while silver, gold and brass are used for inlay work.
  • Process: The craft involves casting, engraving and inlaying, followed by treatment with special clay rich in saltpetre to create its black colour.
  • Design: Its designs combine Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Indian influences, including floral motifs, lotus, swastika, Quranic verses and the Persian rose.
• GI Status: It has obtained a Geographical Indications (GI) tag .