Mysore Rosewood Inlay Art, renowned worldwide and protected with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, continues to draw admirers for its elegance and intricate craftsmanship.

While the art form has traditionally been preserved by generations of artisans, one of its new torchbearers comes from an unlikely background: Information Technology.

B. Mohan Kumar, a resident of N.R. Mohalla, is a software engineer by profession and an inlay artist by passion. Smitten by the beauty of this unique art form since childhood, he formally embraced it only seven years ago.

What began as a quiet pursuit alongside a professional software engineering career has since grown into a full-fledged artistic journey, marked by thousands of completed works and a widening circle of admirers.

Tradition with Modern Touch

Mohan Kumar credits veteran artisans for refining his skills, patiently guiding him through the nuances of the traditional craft. “They chiselled my artistic abilities,” he says, acknowledging the role of mentors who helped him understand not just the technique, but the soul of the art.

Today, his works are sought after not only in Mysuru but across the country and abroad. The growing demand prompted him to take the next step — entrepreneurship. Under the banner of M.K. Enterprises, Mohan Kumar has brought together a group of skilled artists to collectively meet the rising interest in Mysore Inlay artefacts.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Mohan Kumar says that while Mysore Inlay Art is deeply rooted in tradition, it has also evolved with time.

“We have given it a modern touch to suit the tastes of tourists and contemporary art lovers, without diluting its essence,” he explains.

Many of his works draw inspiration from the creations of senior inlay artist Puttaraju, whose designs form the foundation for several pieces. This blending of classical design with modern presentation has struck a chord with buyers, especially visitors looking for authentic Mysuru souvenirs.

Infusing life into wood

Mohan Kumar’s journey has taken his art far beyond the city limits. He has displayed his works at exhibitions across India — from Kashmir to Kanyakumari — and has showcased Mysore Inlay Art internationally in countries such as the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Dubai and other European destinations.

Each exhibition, he says, reaffirms the global appeal of the craft and the curiosity it sparks among art enthusiasts unfamiliar with wood-based inlay tradition.

What sets Mysore Inlay Art apart, Mohan Kumar explains, is the engraving done on wood — unlike many other countries where engravings are typically done on metal.

A variety of wood sourced from trees such as tamarind, jackfruit, ‘badak’, ‘parimagam’, ‘maddi’ and ‘khadga’ are used in the process. “As the name suggests, inlay art is about infusing life into a wooden piece,” he says.

Painstaking process

Creating a single inlay piece is a painstaking process involving several stages. It begins with a creative painting, which is then traced onto a sheet. After selecting the wood, the traced design is pasted and carefully sketched.

The wood is then cut according to the shapes in the design. Each piece is arranged precisely, followed by pressing, buffing, polishing and engraving. A final wax coating gives the artwork its sheen before it is framed and readied for display.

Taking art to people

To make the art more accessible, Mohan has opened a sales outlet on Link Road in N.R. Mohalla, where his works are displayed and sold. Many of the pieces created here have found homes overseas.

“There is a growing demand,” he says. “Some art cognoscenti even send photographs of their choice and ask us to convert them into inlay artworks.”

A National Award-winning artisan who conducts live demonstrations of his craft, Mohan Kumar is the son of Basavaraju and Bhagya.

He has an elder sister Roopa, a home-maker and elder brother ‘Snake’ Shivu, a wildlife photographer.