Lines in metal: Tarkashi wire inlay craft of Mainpuri
In Mainpuri, artisans embed brass and copper wires into sheesham wood, creating motifs that shimmer against warm surfaces—an inherited craft now sustained through small workshops and steady orders.
In Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, Tarkashi is not about carving wood—it is about embedding fine metal wires into its surface. Brass or copper wires are carefully inserted into grooves cut into wood, forming figures, floral motifs, borders, and intricate patterns.
The result is a striking contrast: warm wooden surfaces traced with shimmering metal lines. Tarkashi appears in doors, furniture, panels, and customised décor pieces where clients seek visible handcrafted detailing.
One such artisan is Girishchand Gupta, who runs a home-based workshop along with his wife. Around 20 artisans are associated with his unit, continuing a technique that has been practiced in Mainpuri for generations.
Precision Over Speed
The process begins with selecting strong, seasoned wood—commonly sheesham—that can hold fine grooves without cracking. The surface is levelled and polished before delicate channels are carved. Into these grooves, thin metal wires are hammered and fixed carefully by hand.
The metal must sit flush with the wooden surface. Any imbalance affects the final appearance. Designs range from human figures and traditional motifs to customised patterns for doors, tables, sofas, and architectural elements.
“Tarkashi demands patience,” Mr Gupta explains. “Each wire is placed by hand. If the alignment shifts, the design loses clarity.”
Craft and Livelihood
Tarkashi in Mainpuri once adorned doors and furniture of affluent households. Today, it supports artisans working in small workshops and homes.
Gupta began after formal training and gradually expanded his unit. Through the One District One Product (ODOP) framework, he accessed bank-linked finance to scale operations. Trade fairs in cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, and Delhi have expanded visibility, though timely payments and steady orders remain important concerns.
For Gupta, the future of Tarkashi depends on market access. “Skill exists,” he says. “What we need is consistent demand.”
In Mainpuri, Tarkashi is more than decoration—it is metal meeting wood, tradition meeting livelihood.