THE CRAFT
Stone Carving
From the state of Tamil Nadu
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Tamil Nadu
The temples dotting Tamil Nadu stand as a testament to the stone carving legacy of this state. Artisans showcase immense skill with grand mandapas, gopurams, pillars, and intricate relief work. One can see these in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Ekambareswarar Temple in Chennai, the Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, or the monumental 133-feet tall statue of Thiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari.
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Heritage Value
The Vishwakarma community of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) use granite, locally referred to as living stones. They carve idols according to the principles outlined in the Shilpa Shastra, an ancient scripture. Their carving technique finds resonance in the Pallava dynasty sculptures found in rock-cut caves and monoliths.
Locally sourced granite, including karuppukal (black), vellai kal (white), and pacchai kal (green) are used to create sculptures. Maavu kal (soapstone), durki, and marble sourced from Rajasthan are used to craft small figurines. Craftsmen choose stones with flawless texture and desired colour.
The process starts by levelling the stone, with craftsmen drawing the figure using red oxide and water. Instead of forceful methods, they cut the stone using carefully placed wedges about 5 cm deep, driven by heavy hammers to get clean edges. Stones are polished using sandpaper or carborundum. This is followed by a coconut or castor oil rub, giving the idol its distinct black colour and a smoother surface. The process concludes with a nayanon-milan ritual akin to breathing life. Originally, for temple idols, granite sculptures now include souvenirs like dolls, animal figurines, boxes, incense stands, pendants, and soapstone pieces with brass inlay.
The tradition of Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.
Locally sourced granite, including karuppukal (black), vellai kal (white), and pacchai kal (green) are used to create sculptures. Maavu kal (soapstone), durki, and marble sourced from Rajasthan are used to craft small figurines. Craftsmen choose stones with flawless texture and desired colour.
The process starts by levelling the stone, with craftsmen drawing the figure using red oxide and water. Instead of forceful methods, they cut the stone using carefully placed wedges about 5 cm deep, driven by heavy hammers to get clean edges. Stones are polished using sandpaper or carborundum. This is followed by a coconut or castor oil rub, giving the idol its distinct black colour and a smoother surface. The process concludes with a nayanon-milan ritual akin to breathing life. Originally, for temple idols, granite sculptures now include souvenirs like dolls, animal figurines, boxes, incense stands, pendants, and soapstone pieces with brass inlay.
The tradition of Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.
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Memory Vault
The world’s oldest optical illusion may be a bull-elephant structure at the Airavatesvara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Also, the Mahabalipuram temple complex boasts a mandapam and temple meticulously carved from a single rock, dating back 1,400 years.
Disclaimer:
Any information on this page is anecdotal and based on publicly
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