Seasoned Wrightia tinctoria (Aale mara) softwood is shaped with hand chisels on bow and power lathes, sanded smooth, and coloured by pressing solid sticks of shellac compounded with turmeric, indigo, kumkum, and catechu directly against the spinning wood. 1
Frictional heat melts the natural resin into a durable mirror glaze polished with screw-pine (gedige) leaves. 1
