The art of sculpture is the poetic expression of stone craft. Sculptures of deities, decorative for house interiors, modeled on classical prototypes, continue to be made in nok
and corner of India. In interior of India such sculptures and exquisite
figures are carved in relief with details engraved in fine lines. These
objects are handmade artistic work made using hammer and chisels.
In ancient times, stone carving was used for making small weapons like arrowheads, javelin points, hammer etc. Excavations reveal carving of stone figures 3000 year old. Granite, the granular rock seems to have been the earliest in stone to be useful to man. The most descriptive robe of stone human story can be seen in the excavated objects. Of interest are the different weights cut out of stone by early man.The great King Ashoka
introduced stone architecture in India.
Rajasthan may be called the land of marble. The comparative scarcity of wood and the easy abundance of stone have led to concentration on the latter. Here, the silvats are stone - cutters who are especially engaged in making grinding stone. The silvats are also called sutradhars. Makrana in Nagaur district is the major source of its marble. Jaisalmer city is a dream in stone, rising out of a desert and Jaipur holds the pride of place for availability of marble articles. Known for marble idols in many temples in North-India, Khazane-walon-ka-rasta in Jaipur
is the center for this flourishing craft.
Stone carving is a major handicraft of Orissa. As is evident from the innumerable archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculptures, carves and temples built for centuries and embellished with most beautiful and intricately carved stature and other adornments. The art of stone carving in orissa had reached dizzy heights of excellence perfected through centuries of disciplined efforts of artisans. The progeny of these artisans who built the magnificent temples of Parsurameswar, Mukteswar, Lingaraj, Puri and that wonder in stone, the Sun God at Konark, besides the beautiful stupas and monasteries of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri have kept alive the sculptural traditions of their forefatheres
and their skilled hands can and do chisel and carve exact replicas of the
original temple sculptures besides producing a variety of other items.
Ancient tradition in stone carving in Bihar is proved by the magnificent sculpture of the mauryan period. They had a technique of high polish which can still be seen in the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath, the beautiful black stone with a touch of green in it, that surprises one with its lusture.
The temples at Belur and Halebid are the more exquisite specimens of Hoyasala architecture and are unrivalled for their beauty. The 57 ft. Jain statue of Gomatesvara at Sravanabelgola, standing on the summit of a rocky hill which rises to 400 feet, is a remarkable example of Indian stone sculpture. The famous ruins of Hampi in Bellary also deserve special mention for their lavish and exquisite workmanship and design, dating back to the time of the Vijayanagar
dynasty. An abundance of richly carved friezes, adorned with intricately
worked figures, adorned with intricately worked figures bear testimony to
the temple extravaganza of old times.
The stone carvers work mainly on soap stone but some use sand stone and
other hard stones as well to make traditional figures comparable in beauty
to the old temple sculptures. Apart from traditional figures, beautiful
stone utensils and utility items are also made. Most of the turned utensils
are made from a semi-hard grey stone which takes a beautiful dark polish.
Even today the bowls, plates and glasses are made from this stone are
notable for their sensitive line and texture. Ash-trays, cigarette boxes,
containers of various kinds bowls and vases, particularly in the grey stone,
are new made to cater to the needs at modern living.
Patharkatti in Gaya district is the most noted stone ware centre of Bihar. The place has the less expensive blue back pot stone from which images and household articles like the pestle, the mortal kharal (medicine grinder) etc. are made. Buddhist icons are a specialty. Chandil and Karaikalla in Singhbum district and Dumka in Santhal parganas
work in beautifully grained greenish black soap stone.
The temple carvings of south India are profusely strewn with their figures. In the famous Mahabalipuram, carving are arresting figure of Arjuna standing on the traditional penance pose an one leg, one of two cots hunting pigeons. Then there is the comic figure of a stag scratching its nose with its hind leg. A buffalo chewing the kud is so alive as to seem the mouth is moving. So even creatures like the pig, the duck, the minitor
lizard, the fowl, the spider, all rub shoulders with the mighty elephant,
the lion and horse.
Craftsmen carve images of Gods and Goddesses according to given rules
regarding proportions and poses, ornamentation and weapons. Apart from
images and decorative objects, utility articles such as bowls, vases, wall
panels and book ends are also produced.
