Contemporary Inlay Decoration: A Link to the Mughal Architecture

Abstract

The Indian architecture is world famous for its decoration. The credit goes to Mughal to brought new architectural approach, techniques coupled with colours schemes. The inlay art flourished in India during Mughal period and is evident from their buildings which are influenced by local culture, climate, tradition, material and technology. Inlay decoration techniques and designs, originated during the Mughal period, and are now being practiced in contemporary building as part of the interior as well as exterior walls and floors. The motifs such as geometrical, arabesques, floral, fruits and abstract forms used in contemporary buildings really connect us with Mughal period. This paper attempts to find rationale (i.e., aesthetic, cultural and other) for using techniques, designs and motifs for wall and floor decoration in contemporary period and explores its impact on culture. The study infers that the inlay decoration in present time relate to the Mughal as well as to Hindu culture. The artists are found to be very enthusiastic in using advance techniques with primitive flavour in contemporary inlay.