Varanasi's Gulabi Meenakari Craft Captivates Global Audience at Bengaluru Jewellery Exhibition
The exquisite Gulabi Meenakari art from Varanasi has propelled Uttar Pradesh's rich handicraft heritage onto the international stage at the prestigious India International Jewellery Show Bharat Tritiya held in Bengaluru. This remarkable showcase drew significant attention from industry leaders and enthusiasts worldwide, highlighting the growing global appeal of India's traditional craftsmanship.
International Platform for Traditional Artistry
Organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council from March 21 to 23 at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), this premier B2B jewellery exhibition attracted participants from across the globe. National award-winning artisan Kunj Bihari Singh from Varanasi proudly presented the intricate Gulabi Meenakari craft, which has been cherished for centuries in the bylanes of Kashi and traditional wedding ceremonies.
According to Mithlesh Pandey, senior director of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the exhibition featured approximately 1,300 stalls that captivated around 15,000 visitors from nearly 500 Indian cities and 40 countries over three days. The event served as a powerful platform that not only generated substantial business opportunities but also bestowed well-deserved respect and global recognition upon skilled handicraft artisans.
Royal Endorsement and Global Recognition
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emerged as the official brand ambassador for the state's Geographical Indication (GI) products, including the celebrated Gulabi Meenakari. GI expert and Padma Shri awardee Rajni Kant, widely known as the GI Man of India, emphasized that this traditional jewellery art form is now establishing a formidable identity in international markets beyond its traditional confines.
The jewellery crafted through Gulabi Meenakari is renowned for its exceptional intricate craftsmanship, delicate colour palette, and timeless traditional aesthetics. During the exhibition, artisans received orders exceeding Rs 50 lakh, with particular demand for designs inspired by sacred sites including Ram Mandir, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Meenakshi Temple.
Diplomatic Gifts and Cultural Ambassadorship
Gulabi Meenakari has served as India's cultural ambassador on the global diplomatic stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted exquisite Gulabi Meenakari pieces to numerous international dignitaries, including US Vice President Kamala Harris, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Similarly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has presented these artistic creations to distinguished personalities such as Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Modi, megastar Rajinikanth, and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Most recently, he gifted PM Modi a special Gulabi Meenakari artefact commemorating the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, further cementing the craft's cultural significance.
Complex Artistry and Economic Empowerment
The creation process of Gulabi Meenakari involves highly specialized and complex techniques. Artisans heat pure silver and gold to approximately 800 degrees Celsius for refinement, while preparing vibrant colours from carefully selected metal oxides. This meticulous process results in jewellery pieces that are both visually stunning and culturally meaningful.
Through Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vigorous promotion of GI-tagged products, Gulabi Meenakari has transformed into a powerful symbol of Uttar Pradesh's cultural heritage and artisans' rights. This strategic initiative is successfully preserving this ancient art form while simultaneously providing artisans with dignified livelihoods and improved economic stability.
As Kunj Bihari Singh noted, such international platforms are instrumental in gaining worldwide recognition for centuries-old Meenakari art. The fourth edition of India International Jewellery Show Bharat Tritiya-2026 successfully united exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs, and global trade opportunities on a single prestigious platform.
This represents the new Uttar Pradesh under the Yogi government, where traditional handicrafts are experiencing a vibrant revival and receiving renewed identity. Small-scale artisans are achieving economic empowerment by showcasing their exceptional skills to international audiences, ensuring that this beautiful art form continues to thrive for generations to come.
