Craftsmen migrated, some 200 years ago, from Persia to Srirangapatna. They did carvings in wood, using deer horn. Example – Srirangapatna palace doors. Inlay work initially deployed to embellish wooden boxes, tray, mirror frame and teapoy. The craftsmen shifted from Srirangapatna to Mysore with the fall of Tipu Sultan.

1870: Yusuf Ali & Sons, first firm patronizing wood inlay work was established.

In recent years the first major order for wood inlay items was placed by a tobacco company to promote its Elephant brand of cigarettes. Assistant director, Mr Devaramani, of the handicrafts marketing and service extension centre says there are 300 units in Mysore engaged in wood inlay work, employing over 2100 artisans. There were just two units in 1940.

(Source: R Krishna Kumar, ‘The Hindu’ Nov.12, 2005)

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