Konark Stone carving
Stone (Carving)
History
Odisha’s Kalinga-style temple architecture features grand exteriors with intricate sculptures, seen in temples like Jagannath and the Konark Sun Temple. The region also boasts significant Buddhist and Jain sites, such as Lalitagiri and Udayagiri, with carved stupas and monasteries. Known for its exquisite craftsmanship, Odisha’s stone carving tradition faces challenges like high raw material costs but remains one of India’s finest and most respected art forms.
Raw Materials and Tools
RAW MATERIALS: Granite (Rock), Serpentine (Mineral), Sandstone, Soapstone, Marble.
TOOLS: Hand saw, Hammer, Chisel.
Process
The process of stone sculpture begins with selecting the right stone, ensuring it’s crack-free and of appropriate size and color. After making a preliminary sketch, artisans remove unnecessary parts of the stone. While traditionally done with hammer and chisel, modern stone-cutting machines speed up the process. Sculptors then carve intricate details like facial features, jewelry, and clothing with fine chisels. The finished sculpture is polished by hand or machine to perfection.
Design and Color
Odisha is renowned for its stone carving (pathar kama), showcased in Hindu temples, Buddhist, and Jain shrines. Artisans craft intricate religious, animal, and architectural motifs, continuing their ancestors' legacy. Sculptures depict gods, mythical beings, and detailed figurines like the lekhika, alasakanya, and salabhanjika. Each piece, from jewelry to fingernails, is meticulously carved, with deities like Lord Buddha and Lord Ganesha showing unique expressions, making Odisha’s stone carvings among India’s finest.
Product Range
Traditional products include idols of gods and goddesses, sculptures of animals and temples, decorative objects, panels with stories, household objects like bowls and plates, as well as carved pillars, beams, and brackets for architectural use. Stone carving on products suited for contemporary lifestyles is also being done now.