India's stone carving tradition is perhaps one of the richest in the world. Guilds of masons and stone carvers have existed since the 7th century B.C. A system of apprenticeship was initially prevalent. Later skills were handed down as family lore, from father to son. The famous rock cut temples of Vidisha, the sculptured stone temples of Khajuraho, the monuments of Orchha and Gwalior, all stand testimony to the excellence and originality of the stone carvers of Madhya Pradesh. Each region has a distinct style. Gwalior specializes in jail (lattice) work, Jabalpur and Tikamgarh in decorative items such as statues of animals and human figures and Bastar in icons of tribal gods and goddesses and memorial pillars.
The art of sculpture and architecture is the poetic expression of stone craft. Small-scale sculptures of deities, modelled on classical prototypes, continue to be made in many parts of India. In Tamil Nadu such sculptures are made in granite. In Karnataka, exquisite figures carved in relief in black stone, with details engraved in fine lines, come out in greyish- white against the black surface. Softer stones are used in Orissa, which are easy to carve.
The Taj Mahal is an exquisite example of marble work in India. Floral, trellis, creeper and geometric patterns are carved on the white marble surface, and semi precious stones of different colors are set into it. The Makarana marble is used to make utensils in northern- India, as dishes made of curds or lime stay fresh in these.
The terra-cotta objects are made by hand or on the wheel, and then fired in an open oven. The surface is rubbed and polished with wood or stones while it is still wet. The sculptures and architechtural facades hold within them wonderful pieces of art. Sculptures of the Mauryan period, Buddhist carvings at Bharhut and Sanchi, and the rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora, and Khajuraho have no parallels. Gaya, the pilgrimage of Buddhists, has an ancient tradition of stone carvers. Vessels made out of soft stone are locally available.
Stone monuments are present all over the country, and there are a large variety of stones present. In India traditional stone carving seems to be centered on temples. Made in a variety of stones, ranging from soft-brittle sandstone and patchy red stone to hard granite, the craftsmen carve replicas of the shore temples at Puri, Bhuvaneshwar and Konark.
The tradition of intricate lace screen in stone also points to the mastery achieved by stone carversl, thus transcending limitati ons of the hard material. The fully carved jali-worked facadesof buildings in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, are most intricately done. The artisans in Gujarat are engaged in the art of cutting and polishing semi-precious stones. In Bihar, the black stone is used to make every day utensils. Red sandstone is widely available in Rajasthan and many everyday articles are made out of them. |
