The art of Meenakari, or Meena Kari or Mina Kari is an art of painting or embellishing various types of metals with bright colours in dramatic motifs of birds, flowers and leaves. There are various kinds of Meenakari work depending on whether the enamel is to appear opaque, transparent or translucent
The word Meenakari is derived from Meena, which is the feminine form of Minoo in Persian, referring to heaven. Meena refers to the azure colour of heaven. This art was invented by the Iranian craftsmen of the Sassanid era and spread by the Mongols to India and other countries. It is not just limited to traditional jewellery but expands into figurines and other products as well.
