Bone carving is an art of carving the animal bones or horns and creating intricate pieces of art work. Lucknow since the times of Nawabs has been an important center for ivory or bone carving. Skilled craftsmen used to make decorative and functional products for the Nawabs of Awadh. Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh emerged as a main centre of ivory carving due to the patronization of the craft by the Nawabs. After the ban on ivory, artisans have been carving on camel and buffalo bone with great skill.
Place and People:
Thakurganj is a small locality where a number of artisans are practicing bone carving in small vicinity of their houses. The place is situated in the heart of the city majorly dominated by Muslim population. It houses many bone carvers who since ages have been practicing the craft. Carving is done majorly by the Muslim communities. Though these days few Hindu communities have also learned the craft and make small products. Ivory carving or bone carving is considered as one of the luxurious craft and therefore got patronized by the royals.
The craft is practiced in Rajasthan, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Lucknow. In Lucknow the craft is being practiced in many neighboring places like Mandiao thanna, Barabanki, Mahila Raiganj etc.
