Varanasi’s exquisite **Pink Meenakari** handicraft caught everyone’s attention at **IIJS Bharat III 2026**. It was India’s premier B2B gems and jewelery exhibition, held from 21 to 23 March at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Center (BIEC).
The fourth edition of the show organized by the Gem and Jewelery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) featured over 1,100 exhibitors and around 1,300 stalls. It attracted approximately 15,000 visitors from nearly 500 Indian cities and 40 countries, providing important business and recognition opportunities to artisans.
National Award winning artisan from Kashi **Kunj Bihari Singh** was the only artisan from Uttar Pradesh who was invited to showcase pink meenakari jewelery and artefacts. Known for its intricate enamel work on pure silver and gold, fired at temperatures around 800°C using bright pink pigments derived from metal oxides, it has become widely admired for its soft colors and traditional beauty.
By the end of the three-day event, Kunj Bihari had received orders worth more than **₹50 lakh**. Designs inspired by Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Meenakshi Temple were particularly in demand, indicating the market’s keen interest in artworks with cultural roots.
Pink Meenakari, which was once limited to the traditional surroundings of Varanasi, is now gaining international recognition. This art has received a big boost through GI tagging of Uttar Pradesh and schemes like ODOP and Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana. These schemes provide training in design, packaging and marketing to empower artisans, especially women.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been a strong supporter of GI products. This art has also been included in high-level diplomatic gifts; These include a pink enamel chess set that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted to then US Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021, and other gifts given to leaders like Scott Morrison, Shinzo Abe and Brigitte Macron. Kunj Bihari credited government initiatives for reviving the craft and providing artisans dignified livelihood and global recognition, calling it a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh.
Comments are closed.