Wood carving in Karnataka is a time-honoured craft that transforms blocks of native timber—such as teak, rosewood, jackfruit wood, and sandalwood—into intricate expressions of devotion, folklore, and royal grandeur. Ranging from temple doorways, palanquins, idols, and ceiling panels to ornate home décor and ceremonial chariots, the carvings are deeply embedded in the architectural and spiritual traditions of the state.

Artisans use a variety of chisels and gouges to shape motifs such as mythological figures, yali (lion-faced creature), floral creepers, birds, and sacred geometry. The process begins with sketching on wood, followed by relief carving, undercutting, and surface polishing using natural oils or lacquers. Some pieces—particularly in Mysore and Sagara—are inlaid with ivory or metal to enhance visual contrast.

Contemporary forms include panels, furniture, and wall art that blend traditional iconography with modern aesthetics, ensuring that this ancient skill remains relevant in modern homes and galleries.

The roots of Karnataka’s wood carving tradition lie in temple architecture and royal patronage, particularly during the Hoysala, Vijayanagara, and Mysore Wadiyar dynasties. The elaborately carved wooden ceilings of temples in Belur, Halebidu, and Shravanabelagola, and the royal thrones and furniture of Mysore Palace, are enduring testimonies to this craft’s significance.

In regions like Sagara (Shimoga district) and Uttara Kannada, artisans belonging to the Gudigar community have preserved the knowledge of intricate idol carving, especially of deities like Ganesha, Durga, and Dashavatara forms of Vishnu. Their work is sought after not only for temples across India but also for export to Indian diaspora communities abroad.

The craft is officially recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) under "Channapatna Toys & Wood Craft" and has been supported through artisan welfare schemes, ensuring both its preservation and adaptation in new forms.

In the temple town of Kollur, wooden chariots hand-carved by Gudigar artisans are still used in annual rath yatras, showcasing stories from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata through every panel. In Sagara, entire families of woodcarvers have preserved century-old tools passed down through generations—some even carved by their ancestors.

The famed Dashavatara panels from Sringeri Math and the rosewood inlay panels gifted by Mysore kings to British envoys were products of these very communities. In Channapatna, where toy-making evolved from wood carving under the patronage of Tipu Sultan, craftsmen now collaborate with design schools to keep the tradition alive through ethical, child-safe wooden toys and homeware.

Today, wood carving from Karnataka stands at the intersection of heritage and contemporary design—gracing temple altars, international galleries, and conscious homes alike.

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