Sandalwood Carving from Mysore
Sandal Wood - Handicraft in India sandalwood crafts of karnataka - Tamilnadu -Kerala
Sandal Wood - Handicraft in India The art of sandalwood carving has been practiced in Karnataka,Kerala, Tamilnadu, Delhi for at least a thousand years, and Karnataka ,Keralais world famous for its exquisitely carved figurines with intricate details. Sandalwood artisans are concentrated in Shimoga, Mysore, Uttara Kannada and Bangalore districts of Karnataka.
Sandalwood is of great religious importance and is an extremely expensive material for carving artifacts. Karnataka,KERALA,TAMILNADUTAMILNADU has a huge forest-belt and sandal wood carvers are found in Bangalore, Mysore, Shimoga, Sorab in the foothills to Sirsi, and Honavar and Kumta on the coast. Sandal wood is of two types: Sigandha which is close grained and yellowish-brown in colour and used for carving and Nagagandha which is darkish-brown in colour and from which oil is extracted. Sandalwood carving is an ancient tradition and has been a part of Indian culture and heritage and finds mention in the Ramayana. The fragrant wood is used by Hindus and Buddhists in certain rituals as incense. It is one of the scents besides rose oil that is used during rituals in Islam. It is practiced by a community of craftsmen called the Gudigars who specialize in the art of carving sandalwood, ivory and stone. Having migrated from Goa during the Portuguese invasion, the Gudigars settled in Uttara Kannada (north) and Mysore regions.
Indian Sandalwood is one of the most sacred herbs of Ayurveda. Sandalwood powder and essential oil are renowned for their many medicinal and spiritual uses. But the wood itself can be used in creating wonders in much different ways. Sandalwood is native to Karnataka and its abundance there has led to extensive usage and beautiful products coming out of it. Earlier used to create only deities, boxes have become a specialty of this region. The distinctive aroma of Sandalwood and large boxes covered with carvings of mythological scenes is what sets this apart from all other woodwork. The hard yellow wood is used for carving into combs, beads and religious artifacts. Sandalwood (Santalum album), is a small evergreen tree native to regions in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The wood is used to carve idols, and the roots are rich in oil which is used for medicinal purposes. The most valuable part of the tree is the scented heartwood. Sandalwood carving is distinct in comparison to other woods as it is a softer aromatic wood that allows intricate carving required for making idols. The types of carving done on sandalwood are relief, chipping, incising and piercing. The chisels used are different from those generally used for other woods. The products carved consist of idols of gods and goddesses and boxes with interlacing foliage and scroll-like patterns interspersed with animal or bird figurines that are characteristic of Karnataka. The idols are carved in the round on a pedestal or against a background. They are used in shrines at home and worshiped.
The art of sandalwood carving has been practiced in Karnataka,Kerala for at least a thousand years, and Karnataka is world famous for its exquisitely carved figurines with intricate details. Sandalwood artisans are concentrated in Shimoga, Mysore, Uttara Kannada and Bangalore districts of Karnataka. The spell-binding figurines in this golden coloured wood are embellished with designs inspired by nature. The soft aromatic wood can be delicately carved with ease to create elegant masterpieces.
The objects made of sandalwood are the most famous among the other wooden artifacts for its intricate carving and its sweet fragrance. Such things are considered to be the most expensive. Availability of sandalwood in abundance in the forests of Mysore and around has made this region the most flourishing for this trade. Besides Mysore; Tirupati, Madurai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu; Jaipur, Delhi and Varanasi are the other centre for this attractive workmanship.
Mysore is famous for its sandalwood handicrafts made of quality sandalwood from Mysore and created by master craftsmen who have perfected their indigenous skills through the generations.Many of the desirable handicraft gift items are mainly made of materials like sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood.
Easy availability of various high quality wood like the rose wood, sandal wood and teak wood from Mysore prompted the craftsmen to stretch their skills to the limits, inventing new styles unique to this part of the world The gifted artisans make beautiful idols of Lord Krishna, Ganesh, Goddess Saraswathi, Lakshmi etc in sandal wood ,elephants and pen stands in rose wood and other art works and curios in varieties of other woods.
The life size models of kathakali and the models depicting the boat race of Kerala are Keralas own master pieces in sandalwood and other woods. The idols of Lord Nataraja in dancing pose and those of celestial nymphs and other temple artwork are very attractive.
Mysore also known for its jewellery and cosmetics made from sandalwood got from the only place in India where sandalwood trees abound, Designs range from the elaborate and exquisite to the simple and functional.
The KSTDC emporiums display a wide variety of sandalwood products and handicrafts. They are a little expensive, but they carry with them the fragrance and memories of a rich land. The sandalwood sculptures of India are popular souvenirs.
A sample of our craftsmens skills, these artefacts capture the expressions, features and proportions of the subject, the golden colour of the wood adding to the richness. Sandalwood retains its fragrance for years, a sprinkling of water on the article can perfume your room for days together.
Though the industry is most famous for its awe-inspiring figures of deities from the Hindu mythology such as Vishnu, Kali, Durga and Krishna, the carvings are not limited to that of Gods and Goddesses but they have expanded to include a wide range of objects. Many containers and wall paintings of Sandalwood are quite popular as they can be displayed and flaunted in any settings. Other products widely available are animal figures, wall hangings and other mementos which can serve as perfect gifts for your near and dear ones.
The high price of sandalwood has emerged as an important deterrent for the craft and many families have started going away from the trade. As conscious citizens of India, we must endeavor to popularize this crafts and help in reviving this unique and centuries old tradition of Karnataka.
Chandan trees grow in warm tropical forest lands and thus Karnataka is the primary place of production for these beautiful trees- with the rest of them being cultivated in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka is thus known as Gandhadagudi or the Abode of Sandalwood and the main areas of production in the state include Bangalore, Mysore, Shimoga and Sorab.
Being of a very hard texture, the white sandalwood has given birth to the Sandalwood Carving and Crafts industry in Karnataka, and this is one of their prime sources of industrial revenue. The art of sandalwood carving is more than a thousand years old and some families in the state have been performing it for generations – creating beautiful figurines renowned for the beautiful fragrance and exquisitely carved details which adorn the bodies of the sculptures.
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Art, art, chandan tree, karnataka, nagagandha, red wood, sandal wood, white sandalwood, Sandalwood · Wood Crafts · Paintings · Stone Work · Craft World · Art & Craft · Handicrafts Trade. Hand crafted collection of various figurines made from sandal wood, rose wood, teak and other selected wood species. Our craftsmen work on minute details that takes days and in some cases months to see his masterpiece end up as a collector’s item.Products & Services Wooden Elephant Ganesh Statues Corporate Gifts Marble Handicraft Products Pen Stands Designer Key Rings Marble Ganesh Chowki Lac Products Elephant Statue Home Decorative Products Wooden Statues Wooden Decorative Products Marble Watches Sandalwood Products Wall Hangings Wooden Painted Elephant