|
Stone Craft In India - A Preview
By Rajneesh Dubey
Different kinds of rock originated on earth after
numerous geological activities. These rocks with their
different compositions came to be called stones like
Redstone, Soapstone, Sandstone, Limestone, Marble,
Granite and many others. Indian landmass is also made up
of several kinds of rocks and the stone obtained here
has been used in making forts, palaces, temples,
sculptures, household items and for other miscellaneous
purposes. In India, stone crafting traditions have their
roots in pre-historic times, as at that time the weapons
and other tools were made of stone. More professional
approach in stone craft came in 7th century BC. During
this time, several guilds of stone carvers and masons
existed in India. During Maurya rule stone craft reached
to its perfection. A number of rock stupas, rock cut
caves and Buddhist chaityas were raised during this
period. In India, all kind of stone sculptures and
structures used to be made according to Shilpshastra, an
ancient Hindu treatise on sculpture and architecture.
Region Wise Study of Stone Craft in India
In India, there are some regions that are specifically
rich in stone culture. A classical culture prevails
there of stone crafts. Depending upon the type of stone
found and the tools used, the style and the finishing
has been different and unique.
Stone Carving Practices of Orissa:
Stone carving is one of the major handicrafts of Orissa.
Several archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculpture,
carves and magnificent temples testify the claim.
All these have undergone intricate and very fine stone
carving by the deft hands of the artisans. The temples
of Puri, Konark, Lingaraj, Parasurameshwar and
Mukteshwar are just the wonders crafted in stone.
Whereas the stupas erected at Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri and
Udaygiri are just par-excellence. The art of stone
crafting reached pinnacle in the ancient and the early
medieval period in Orissa with detailed exploration of
each and every nuance of the stone craft. This art has
automatically passed on to the present generation from
their earlier generations. The present breed is not far
behind its predecessors in creating the exact replica of
the old masterpieces. Similarly, small sculptures are
also made in big quantity catering to the huge demands
of the visitors and the locals.
Stone Carving Practices of Rajasthan
Rajasthan has, though scarcity in wood and forest but it
has abundant stone mineral.The landmass of Rajasthan is
rich in different rocks like Granite, marble, Quartzite,
Slate and other metamorphic rocks. The forts and palaces
of Bharatpur, Baroli, Ramgarh, Nagda, Ajmer, Chittor,
Mandsore, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Udaipur have been made
using these stones. The jaaliwork or the latticework of
Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner is of fine quality
and intricate finish. Rajasthan has most significant
quarries of marble at Makrana. The marble mined here is
used profoundly in the world famous stone sculpture of
Taj Mahal as well as the stone wonder, Dilwara Jain
Temple at Mt. Abu. The artistry in Dilwara Jain temple
is exquisite, fine, intricate and just fascinating.
Different places of Rajasthan are famous for different
kind of stones found. Kota is the center of production
of grey stone which is used in floor making. Similarly
Barmer and Ajmer are famous for Yellowstone and granite
respectively. Beautiful statues of deities are made
using the soft stone mined from the quarries of
Dungarpur. Jaipur is the place where sculptures of all
kinds are made by white marble. The statues of deities
carved in Rajasthan are sent to all areas of the
country.
Stone Art Practices of Uttar Pradesh
Mathura, Varanasi and Agra are the famous centers for
stone craft in Uttar Pradesh. Some pieces of stone
sculptures have been found from the excavations at
Mathura and other adjacent areas belonging to Maurya
period. The interesting fact is that lavishly used stone
in these sculptures is the red sandstone mined from the
Chunar. It indicates that this land once used to be the
center of stone carving art some thousands of years
back. During medieval period under the Mughal rule,
several beautiful palaces and forts were constructed
chiefly with the help of stone. Some fascinating
examples of the stone sculptures if Uttar Pradesh are:
Red fort of Agra, The Taj Mahal, the palace of Fatehpur
Sikri, The tomb of Akbar at Sikandara and many more.
In the present times the focus of the stone craftsmen is
changing towards exploring new kinds of stones as well
as new article to be made. Nowadays they make the stone
sculptures that beautify the home or the gift articles
like candle stands, ashtrays, jewelry boxes, and Taj
replicas. Carved pillars, railings and fireplaces are
the architectural objects that the craft persons are
making.
Rupbas near Agra and Karauli are the quarries which have
produced the red stone used in the forts and palaces
Agra, Delhi and Fatehpur Sikri.
At Varanasi the stone used is not hard marble but soft
stone called Gorara. This is the stone that is brought
from the Hamirpur and Mahoba areas. This stone has a
unique quality to change its colors on polishing. Bowls
and the servicing dishes are the popular products made
of gorara stones. Sonia and Kalimohal areas of Varanasi
and Gokulpura area of Agra are the centers of the main
activities of stone craft in U.P.
Stone Art Practices of Southern India
In southern India, the temple architecture of Hoyasalas
at Halebid and Belur are most exquisite and splendid
example of stone craft. 57 Feet tall stone statue of
Jain saint Gomateshwara at Shrabanbelgola is another
example of marvelous stone art. Similarly, the ruins of
Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi in Bellary are also the
samples of glorious Indian tradition of Stone craft.
Other classic stone examples of stone craft in the
southern part of India are: Meenakshi Temple Madurai and
its 1000 pillared mandaps, Chidambaram Temple with
beautiful panels depicting 108 karanas of the Natya
Shastra, Kanchipuram accommodating a number of temples
from he era of Pallawas to Nayaks and Granite carvings
at Mamallapuram and Chingalpet. The Kailash temple at
the Ellora caves is the monolithic structure whose craft
is just unique and astonishingly beautiful. |
