Deen Dayal Minakar - Master Artisan

Heritage - The art of Minakari (enameling on gold-ornaments) has been pursued by Deen Dayalji's family for the past 400 years. Deen Dayalji's father, late Shri kanhaiya Lal, was a famous Minakar of his time. In the beginning of 20th century he moved from Delhi to settle at Jaipur. In 1906, he shifted to Bikaner, at the request of the then ruler of Bikaner Maharaja Ganga Singhji to undertake enameling of ornaments required for the marriage of Kunwar Sadul Singhji. He settled at Bikaner and his art was acclaimed by the ruling family and the wealthy people there.

Life- He was born at Bikaner in 1916. At the age of 7, he inherited the age old heritage but with little schooling. He started learning the art of Minakari under the strict guidance of his father and the tender care of his mother Basanti Devi. In 4 years he mastered this art. He was only 18 years old, when the yoke of the family and the business settled on him. Patiently he bore this burden and carried on his work to the acclaim not only of the rulers and the people of Bikaner but also of the business houses of jaipur. Year after year his art progressed earning more and more acclaim which, after shifting to Jaipur in 1951, has crossed Indian frontiers to international Markets.

Art- Taiyari, Boondtila or Chalawan, Lal Zameen and Safed Chalawan are the four types of Minakari--Taiyari being the lowest and Safed Chalawan being the highst grades.

The proficiency earned by him in Safed Chalawan Minakari, He humbly submitted, was unsurpassed. His work had been honoured on 24th January, 1968 by the President of India with National Award in Minakari.