Sandalwood is considered auspicious across the Indian subcontinent. Used as incense, paste and oil, it is valued for its long-lasting fragrance, while the fine grain structure of this wood makes it easy to carve into intricate patterns and motifs.
Artist
Devi Das Shet
Kumta Karnataka
National Awardee Devi Das Shet is a second-generation sandalwood sculptor. His rendering of the form of Krishna in the 12th-century Hoysala style of stone and wood carving is marked by dense, coiled vine-like patterns. The use of heartwood and the fragrant core of sandalwood makes this a rare idol.
The Craft
Sandalwood Carving
Karnataka earned the title of gandhadagudi, or the Land of Sandalwood, because of its century-old sandalwood craftsmanship. Hundreds of skilled craftsmen are spread across Bengaluru, Mysore, Shimoga, Sorab, Honavar, and Kumta. These artisans use the soft, fragrant sigandha wood sourced from regional forests to create intricately carved works.
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