Stone carving has been prevalent in India since 7th century BC. The stone carvings skills were and still are handed down as a family tradition. Traditionally, the art of stone carving was related with architecture. Temples of Tamil Nadu and Khahuraho, Ellora Caves, Puri, Konark and many such ancient temples have stone-carved statues.
Ancient carvings were based on "Shilpa Shastra" Mahabalipuram still has an ancient school for training the sculptors. Carving a religious statue is considered an equivalent to worship. Sthapathis of Tamilnadu as well as the Somapuras of Gujarat and Rajasthan and Raidas of UP are the stone carvings communities still involved in the traditional craft.
Rajasthan has huge deposits of almost all types of stones. It also happens to be one of the greatest centers of stone carvings. Not only in the temples but in houses, forts, gardens one can see carved stone sculptures almost every where. Intricate lattice work and floral carvings on Rajasthani doors and windows is a common scene.
Sculptures made from one piece of stone have no joints. Such type are preferred for religious idols. Sandstone, marble and soap stone are considered good for carvings and inlay work as they are soft stones, that look beautiful and are easier to carve. The hard stone carvings generally don't have intricate patterns. Tools of the trade are by and large
STONE CARVING CRAFTS
Man's mastery over the use of stone goes back to the Stone Age. In India, the stone cutter was probably accorded recognition as an artist-craftsman even before other artisans. Highly impressive stone sculptures from the Indus Valley civilisation - Harappa and Mohenjodaro - of torsos and dancing figures in limestone, red stone, and dark gray slate have been found. The Puranas specifically mention the existence of stone carvers
The exquisite stonework of India in marble, sandstone etc is famous across the globe. The handicraft importers of Indian arts and crafts items import these items for their uniqueness
India has a rich tradition of stonecraft. Guilds of masons and stone carvers have existed here since the 7th century B.C. Different types of stones like, marble, soapstone, sand stone are used by craftsmen in India. Stone craft in India is not only restricted to ornate carvings on temples or sculptures of deities, but it is also used in making items like carved panels, tiles, paper weights, pen stands, models of historical buildings, sculptures of animals and humans etc. The basic design is traced on the stone and it is given a crude shape. The final carving is then carried out and the items are polished.
Agra's long association with the fabulous Mughal Court gave rise to many arts and crafts including stone carving. Replicas of Taj Mahal, marble boxes, wall plates, table tops, coasters, and ashtrays inlaid with semi-precious stones and mother of pearl in pleasing pietra dura designs taken from Mughal monuments and paintings are very popular purchases. The simpler Gurara stone carvings, paperweights, and Rubic cube like candleholders, which take four different sizes, make excellent gifts and mementoes.
INDIAN HISTORY OF STONE CARVING
Man's mastery over the use of stone goes back to the Stone Age. In India, the stone cutter was probably accorded recognition as an artist-craftsman even before other artisans. Highly impressive stone sculptures from the Indus Valley civilisation - Harappa and Mohenjodaro - of torsos and dancing figures in limestone, red stone, and dark gray slate have been found. The Puranas specifically mention the existence of stone carvers.
Perhaps the earliest form of stone-carving was the making of stone weapons like arrow-heads, javelin points, hammers, etc., from flint and such articles have been found in abundance during excavations at Allahabad, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Banaras, Bulandshahr, Bundelkhand, and many other places.
The ancient Silpa-Sastras have laid down definite precepts to be followed by the stone-masons - precepts handed down from father to son up to the present time. The most important part of these ancient Sanskrit technical classics was the Manasara which used to be consulted by the Hindu craftsmen for guidance in architecture. It contains the proportions and measurements of the various parts of a temple, the religious rites to be observed at the laying of the foundations of sacred structures, strict rules about dimensions, and other details that may have been responsible for the perfect symmetry of the Hindu architecture of old.
According to the historians, there was no stone architecture in India before the 3rd century B.C., and he contends that it was Asoka who introduced it, all previous structures before his time being of wood. In the later periods, there was an amalgamation of cultural influences under the Mauryans, Guptas and the Mughals. Stone monuments of these periods are magnificent structures of sublime grandeur with perfect symphony between the architecture and sculpture. The great Indian tradition of sculpture can be seen in the rock-temples of Ajanta and Ellora, the Dilwara temples of Mount Abu and the mighty Konark temple of Orissa.
Indian stone work reached its zenith during the Mughal period. The mausoleum of Salim Chisti at Fatehpur Sikri, of beautiful white marble and perhaps one of the finest and most dignified examples of Mughal architecture, also dates from Akbar's time. During the reign of Jahangir, stone inlay work came into fashion. Red sandstone gave place to marble and mosaic to inlay. In Shah Jehan's reign the ivory-white marble of Makrana has replaced the red sandstone of the Vindhyans; the big mosaics and geometrical tracery of Fatehpur-Skiri have been refined till they reach of the precision of the jewellery inlay and flower-like tracery of the Taj.
Southern India is famous for its distinctive style of stone sculpture. The Pallava, Chola and Hoysala sculptures are known for their elegance, fluidity and excellence of form. Kancheepuram, Mahabalipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Belur, Halebid, and Shravanabelgola in Devanahalli in Karnataka are the important centres of excellence in stone icon making. The mastery and genius of the artisan were displayed best in the exquisite carving of gods and goddesses. These were carved as per the tenets of the Shilpa-Shastra, the ancient manual that laid down the rules for perfect craftsmanship. However, as in all crafts the simple artisan first began by making the basic everyday objects for his own use and his community use.
Stone was amongst the first material used by prehistoric man to create tools. Though items made from stone gave way to, items made from metal, stone continued to be one of the preferred material for making sculptures.
The stone-carving tradition in India is one of the richest in the world. Guilds of masons and stone carvers have existed here since the 7th century B.C. The skills were handed down as family lore from father to son, a practice prevalent in some parts of the country even today.
India has a rich tradition of stonework, as is evident from temples in Khajuraho, Konark, Martand in Kashmir and Ellora etc, which have richly carved sculptures and relief work on them. Large temple complexes of Ramashwaram, Dilwara and Tirupati not only are marvels in stone, but they reflect a high degree of sophistication reached by craftsmen engaged in stone working.
Stone working in India is not only restricted to ornate carvings on temples or sculptures of deities, but it is also used in making items like carved panels, tiles, paper weights, pen stands, models of historical buildings, sculptures of animals and humans etc.
Different and varied stone crafts exist in different parts of India:
Different types of stones like, marble, soapstone, sand stone etc are used by craftsmen in India. Large blocks of stone are quarried and then taken to various craft centers. The basic design is traced on the stone and it is given a crude shape. The final carving is then carried out and the items are polished.
Madhya Pradesh has a rich tradition of stone craft. Gwalior is known for jali (lattice) work. Animal and human figures are created in Jabalpur and Tikamgarh. The tribal region of Bastar is well known for sculptures of tribal gods and memorial pillars.
In Andhra Pradesh the main centers of stone craft are Durgi, Allagadda and Tirupati. These centers excel in making of intricately carved figures of gods and goddesses. The craftsmen here strictly follow ancient rules pertaining to carving and making sculptures.
Gujarat is known for marble sculptures from Ambaji. Rural areas of Bihar are known for utensils made from black stone.
Rajasthan has the best marble and sandstone quarries in India. The craftsmen here have an age-old tradition of carving and making sculptures. The marble quarry of Makrana has contributed to making of Taj Mahal at Agra and marble from here is also used in the making of exquisite Dilwara Jain temples at Mt Abu. The craftsmen here follow the rules laid down in Shilpa-shastra, while creating images of gods and deities.
Jaipur is the center of marble carving in Rajasthan. Craftsmen, not only create figures of deities, but also make household items like bowls, trays, items for kneading dough etc. Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur are main centers of jali making.
Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Orissa are also famous for figurines and items made from stone. The craftsmen from Orissa use soft soapstone to make finely carved sculptures of gods and goddesses.
Uttar Pradesh has many craft centers engaged in making different items from stone. Hamirpur district is known for statues made from locally available red soft stone. The raida community of Banaras, is responsible for making a range of marble items include tableware, plates, glasses bowls, food containers, candle stands, etc. Agra is famous for its intricate marble inlay work, drawing inspiration from the Taj Mahal. Floral and geometric patterns dominate designs created here. Popular items include models of Taj, bowls, boxes, lamps, vases and pitchers. Intricately carved friezes, panels and trellis or jali work done in exquisite designs is a specialty of this place. Vrindavan and Mathura are popular for alabaster work. At times alabaster items are studded with precious stones.
Jhansi region known for a dark brown stone, spotted with yellow. Lamp stands, pastel, incense stick holders are made out of this stone.
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