Hoshiarpur, a city in Punjab, is renowned for its exquisite inlay woodwork. It involves engraving small motifs into carved recesses within wood. This results in distinctive and intricately patterned surfaces. This craft boasts a history spanning three centuries. It originated during the time when Hoshiarpur was a hub for crafting ivory bangles.

The beginnings of this art form can be traced back to the practice of using discarded ivory from making bangles and combs. Artisans reused these to adorn small objects with captivating designs. With the ban on ivory usage, artists started using acrylic, plastic, bronze, and even camel bones. They prefer using sheesham wood for its robustness and resistance to termites. Now due to dwindling supplies, teak and rosewood have also gained popularity.

The first step in the process involves preparing the design. Stencils and paper were used in olden days. However, contemporary methods employ computer-generated prints for tracing. Design patterns vary from floral and geometrical to traditional motifs. Once the design is traced, skilled artisans etch it out using sharp knives and chisels. Depressions, typically 2-3 millimetres deep are carved to accommodate the inlay pieces. These inlays are then crafted from chosen materials and set in place within the grooves. The surface is then sandpapered and polished for smoothness and enhanced durability.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi houses many artefacts from Hoshiarpur. They are often gifted to foreign dignitaries. A local craftsman, Roopan Matharoo, won the Shilp Guru National Award for this craft. The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur also houses few rare 19th-century ivory inlay treasures from Hoshiarpur.

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