Wood Carving & Inlay

Wood carving is an ancient art of the state which has attained a very high standard of technical skill. Some of the best examples of wood-carvings are found in temples and houses in many parts of Gujarat. A unique feature of the woodcarvings of Gujarat is the large variations found in a single motif. The traditional wood carving items include nav khania and tran khania, cupboards; the paniara stands for water pots and the jhula. In the town of Pethapur of Mehsana district there are engraving of blocks for textile printing for which teakwood is mostly used.

Wood turning is a form of woodcarving that is used to create wooden objects (e.g. a bowl or a table leg) on a lathe using cutting tools. Wood turning differs from most other forms of woodworking, here the wood is moving while a (relatively) stationary tool is used to cut and shape it.

The items produced are cradles, baby carts, toys, corner stands, etc.

Because of the Mughal patronage, Delhi became a thriving centre for all sorts of crafts, among them wood inlay work too. The Mughals loved decoration done with woodwork and their demand encouraged communities of Persian inlay artisans to settle in Delhi. Coloured woods, horn and even plastic are lovingly set into carved surfaces of a range of household objects, jewellery boxes and curios.

One of Bihar's ancient industries wood inlays continues to be done with different materials, metal, ivory and stag-horn. Artists create decorative pieces like wall hangings, table tops, trays, and a number of utility articles with inlay work. One can see beautiful pieces of trays, boxes and other articles for household use are produced using this craft. The designs are colourful and geometrical.

Wood is a traditional craft of Assam. Exquisite wood carvings are seen in the doors, walls, beams, decorative panels and ceilings in houses, temples, monasteries and royal palace. The painted wood work of Golaghat signifies the folk art of the state.

In ancient times, the royal palaces of the Ahoms (rulers) were hand decorated by Khonikars. Their work was so much appreciated and encouraged by the royals that a separate village, called Khonikargaon, was constructed for them, near Sibsagar.

Once upon a time, elephant tusks were carved into great and tiny delicate pieces of art by master craftsmen of Khagra and Jiaganj in Murshidabad district. But then the elephant population stood threatened, ecological disaster became imminent and so a ban came upon ivory. But that did not stop the wizardry of the craftsmen.Their deft fingers found the aromatic, oily sandalwood as an ideal substitute. And so those legendary ivory creations grew in sandalwood.

Wood carving is a tradition with some of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The Monpas, Khamtis, and Wanchos occupy significant place in this art. The Monpa wood carver makes beautiful cups, dishes; fruit bowls and carve magnificent masks for ceremonial dances and pantomimes.

Arunachal Pradesh has an abundance of forests which are rich in wood, cane and bamboo. Wood and bamboo houses of this region are famous and each house is made by the collective efforts of the entire community. Wood carving among the Wancho tribe, was very closely associated with head hunting and the human head is the dominant pattern in such designs as the tobacco pipes with the bowl carved in the shape of a head, drinking mugs with warriors heads carved with remarkable realism and power are a common sight.

Woodwork and carpentry are the indigenous crafts of Andaman. There are several units engaged in making the furniture and other wooden articles made from ornamental woods like marble wood, Paduak and Chui. The tabletops made from Paduak burr are singular works of handicrafts in these islands. The driftwood that is shaped by the currents and flow of the sea is commonly available in Andaman. It is converted into art objects through imagination, dedication and precision.