From Mysore Silk To Ganjifa Cards, Discover These 5 Geographical Indication Crafts From Mysore During Your Karnataka Trip

Karnataka has splendid beaches, beautiful palaces, a mouth-wateringly delicious cuisine and forests that stretch on for miles. But, did you know that its handicrafts heritage is equally famous? With nearly 50 geographical indication (GI) tags—a way of determining products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that place—it is among the top five Indian states to have preserved as much of its traditional crafts as possible. Whether you’re after the lustre of a Mysore silk sari or the therapeutic properties of Mysore sandalwood oil, here are five crafts and products you should pick up during your Karnataka holiday. 

Mysore Silk

You will know when you hold a Mysore Silk sari in your fingers that it’s the real deal. Its gleaming lustre is not the only thing that will enchant you; the intricate zari embroidery plays a vital role in giving the textile its regal look. 

Made from mulberry silk in the district of Mysore, the fabric’s origins can be traced back to Tipu Sultan’s reign in the 1790s. Production picked up pace, but it faced a steady decline during economic downturns in the 19th century. However, Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV persisted in his attempts to revive the tradition, and in 1912, the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Limited (KSIC) was founded. 

In 2005, Mysore Silk received a GI tag by the government of India to preserve the craftsmanship, quality and reputation of the textile.  The KSIC’s factory in Mysore district runs the entire gamut of silk production, right from the sourcing of cocoons in the Ramanagara district to the weaving of the silk fabric in various shades and designs. Only high quality pure natural silk and 100 per cent pure gold zari is used to produce Mysore Silk saris, and to assure authenticity, the KSIC stamps a unique code number and hologram as identification marks on each of them.

Mysore Rosewood Inlay

The craftsmanship of Mysore rosewood inlay products thrived under the patronage of Tipu Sultan and the rulers of the Wadiyar dynasty. It is believed that artisans who practised the art were employed by the Maharaja of Mysore to work on the Mysore Palace, evidence of which can be seen in the rosewood doors of the Amba Vilas Durbar today.

To make a wall panel, furniture (like tables, doors and dining sets), gift box or mirror frame using Mysore rosewood inlay, the rosewood has to be sourced and cut into planks of differing shapes first. The shape of the base can be square, rectangular, circular or oval. Once that is done, it is made smooth and even by buffing out the edges and the surface. The design is either drawn on the surface or made on paper and then transferred to the base. Then, a marking knife is used to trace over the outline of the design, after which the wood inside the outline of the design is hollowed out and grooves of at least 2-3 millimetres deep are made. After this, the inlay material is placed in the grooves with glue to keep the design in place. A hammer is used to beat the surface, after which any gaps in the grooves and the inlay are filled using a mixture of glue, rosewood and sawdust. Finally, the surface is polished using beeswax and lacquer to give a clean and lustrous appearance to the product.

The Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (KSHDCL) runs an online store for people to purchase exquisitely designed Mysore rosewood inlay products and support the artisans, who primarily live in Srirangapatna.

Mysore Traditional Paintings

Traditional Mysore paintings are characterised by their delicate lines, intricate brush strokes, the graceful forms of the Hindu gods and goddesses, and the use of bright vegetable colours and lustrous gold leaf. More than mere decorative pieces, these paintings are designed to inspire feelings of devotion and humility in the viewer. 

The paintings have their origins in the Ajanta and Badami caves of Maharashtra and Karnataka respectively, but reached their zenith during the rule of the Mummadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar. The beginning of the 19th century saw the emergence of a new school of painters under the patronage of Krishna Raja Wadiyar III that characterised the Mysore traditional painting style.

Today, contemporary Mysore paintings are made commercially, while examples of traditional paintings survive at the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and murals in temples across the city of Mysore.

Ganjifa Cards Of Mysore

Among the various traditional crafts of Mysore, the Ganjifa cards stand out due to their beauty and artwork. Boasting intricate designs and incorporating the captivating imagery of deities, the craft is a unique blend of strategic play and artistic heritage. Mughal rulers from Babar to Akbar enjoyed playing these cards, with the latter encouraging the art form in his court. 

Spanning lavish sets made of precious stone-inlaid ivory, tortoise shell, hard wood and more such materials, Ganjifa cards show dancing, hunting, worshipping and processional scenes. A pack consists of 96 cards with eight suits of 12 cards each (comprising numerals one to 10 and two trump cards). While the cards continue to be made to this day, they are largely sold as decorative pieces and not as game sets.

Mysore Sandalwood Oil

Often referred to as “liquid gold” for its consistent quality and fragrance, the Mysore sandalwood oil is a versatile product, used in medicine, beauty products and for cosmetic preparation. Used since Vedic times for various religious ceremonies, it is said that the sweet and woody odour of sandalwood acts as a mood enhancer. 

The origins of the production of Mysore sandalwood oil date back to 1916, when a government-owned sandalwood oil factory was established by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar, and Dewan of Mysore, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, to extract the oil from the sandalwood tree. The area has the best climatic conditions thanks to the well-drained loamy soil and because it receives a minimum of 20-25 inches of rainfall per year. 

The technology for the distillation of sandalwood was perfected with the help of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science after that. Today, the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) manufactures personal care products that include Mysore sandal soap and sandalwood oil. These products have a global reputation for their consistent quality and fragrant characteristics, attributes that have made the company a well-respected brand leader. The organisation obtained the GI tag for Mysore sandalwood oil in 2006.