Stone Craft

Stone Carving of West Bengal

The main centre for traditional stone carving in West Bengal is Simulpur in Midnapur and the carvers here are known as Sildah. Phyllite, a semi-soft grey stone, is sculptured into a large variety of utensils with the help of indigenous hand operated lathes to make bowls, cups and plates of various shapes and sizes.

Burdwan with Patun and Dainhata are the other important centers for stone carving in West Bengal and the stone carvers of this area are also known as Bhaskars or Sutradhars. Figures are carved here for temples and home. The use of brick-red stone is predominant here out of which the Sutradhar sculptors have carved panels and plaques for the temples in the region.

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Arts & Crafts

Soap Stone Carving of Madhya Pradesh   

Soapstone is used mainly for shaping and carving idols";" there are many villages in Bastar which have shrines with stone idols. The villages of Bade Dongar, Chotta Dongar, Dantewada, Narangpal, Bastar, Kondagaon, Chapka and Amravati are well-known for their stone shrines (dev-gudi). The idols made are of Budhi Mai, Danteshwai, Khanda Kanalin, Phiranta Mata, Jhitku-Mitki, Banga Ram, Andhar Devi, Sendia Mata, Mavli Devi and Rao Dev --- these being some of the most important gods and goddesses worshipped by the tribals, particularly by the Muria, Mahara and Rawat communities.

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Arts & Crafts

Granite Stone Carving of Tamil Nadu

Granite is easily available in Tamil Nadu and a large number of temples are carved of this stone. Pallava stone carvings which show a high degree of skill and craftsmanship evolved in the 6th century and the rock-cut caves of Mamallapuram, stone rathas/chariots and the stone shore temples are part of this expression.

Great stone temples and carvings also date from the Chola period: examples of these are the Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur with its numerous carvings, the temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, the Airavathesvara temple at Darasuram and the Kampahareshvara temple at Thribhuvanam.

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Arts & Crafts

Marble Stonework of Rajasthan

Statues on religious themes are carved all over Rajasthan and in several cities there are still entire lanes where the stone carvers can be seen giving final touches to statues or even pillars.

There are back lanes in Jaipur that ring with the sound of diamond-tipped chisels and hammers, carefully chipping away at blocks of marble and red or yellow sandstone. Till the royalty held sway in India, stone carving received ample patronage in the form of architectural commissions. In fact, when founding the city of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh earmarked a whole lane for stone carvers, naming it Silawaton ka Mohalla. Some of Jaipur’s best showpieces are the latticework in the City Palace; the sandstone carvings and ornamental stonework at the Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort gateways.

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Arts & Crafts

Stone carvings from Tamil Nadu

Stone carving have reached a high degree of excellence in this southern state very early in history. Today, granite carving is confined to the areas around Mamallapuram and Chingleput. The famous sculptors here belong to the Vishwakarma or Kammaalar community. A subsidiary form of carving is soapstone or maakal carving, found in the region between Pondicherry and Cuddalore and around Salem.

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Arts & Crafts

Stone Craft from Agra

The hub of the stone craft in india is Agra and the supreme example of whish is Taj Mahal. The art of carving the thin marble slabs to make the fine lattice windows is the most difficult for the craftsmen. The other marble products available in agra are mirror frames with lace like fringes, fretwork balustrades, bowls, garden furniture, etc. The another specialty of the Agra is the inlay work on marble with the colorful and precious stones to form a multitude of mosaics.

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Arts & Crafts

Rock Cut Carving in Tripura

The Rock Cut Carving in Tripura is an integral part of the Tripura society and culture. Keeping in sync with the rich art and craft tradition of the state, Rock Cut Carvings of Tripura has always pleased and astonished the art lovers . Several places carries the examples of these extra ordinary expertise. Some of these places are:

  • Debatamura
  • Unakoti
  • Pillak

Stone images have been carved out of huge rocks. The stone carvings of Unakoti date back to 7th century. It is believed that there are one short of one Crore of rock cut images, as the word Unakoti means one less than a Crore. In Debatamutra, images have been sculpted out of rocks with steepness of 90 degrees. Mammoth size rock cut images of various gods can be seen in Debamutra.

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Arts & Crafts

Sculptures of Tripura

Tripura Sculpture is an integral part of art and craft in Tripura. The Tripura Government Museum has acquired many sculptures that have been found in different places of Tripura. The sculptures that are displayed are collected from places like Pilak, Udaipur, Jolaibari and other places of the state.

The sculptures in Tripura that have been found from Pilak are exquisite pieces, which depict a kind of blend of both the Hindu and the Buddhist culture. These are works of art that are largely appreciated for the variety of theme and style. The sculptures mostly date back to the time period of 9th to 13th century. Almost all the sculptures and made up of sand stone.

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Arts & Crafts

Stone Carving of Orissa

Stone carving is a very major handicraft of Orissa. As is evident from the innumerable archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculptures, caves and temples built for centuries and embellished with most beautiful and intricately carved statue and other adornments, the art of carving in stone had reached in Orissa dizzy heights of excellence perfected through centuries of disciplined efforts of generations of artisans.

Topic
Arts & Crafts