VARQ

In Jaipur, there is a bustling neighbourhood called Mohalla Pannigaran which translates to a community of Pannigars, the makers of foil or panni. Here one finds the most skilled of the varqsaaz (craftsmen) who produce gold and silver leaf or varq, that is widely used to decorate our traditional sweets and medication in Jaipur, and in decor and art globally.

As we walk through this neighbourhood, we see craftsmen delicately beat the precious metals into sheets thinner than a strand of human hair! The trail further introduces us to some of the last few traditional practitioners of this craft which goes back many generations, who work with ancient tools and techniques despite of increased mechanisation and industrialization.

Image courtesy: @discoverindiabyhand