Handmade in India

STONE CARVING
THE STONE CARVING traditional in Andhra Pradesh dates
back to the 2nd century BC when Amravati was an important
Buddhist centre under the Satavahanas.Buddhists ,Hindu and
Islamic architecture in the region stand testimony to this
craft.The state has a huge resource of stone;famous among
them are the Cuddapah slate and Durgi stone.The granite
available in Andhra Pradesh is locally referred to as
Krishnashila,and is the main material used for stone
carving.Largely temple-related sculpture-vigraha or idols, and
architectural elements such as lintels and pillars are carved in
these clusters.The quality,scale and range of architectural
carvings in Allagadda are extensive and are comparable to
established centres of stone carving,as in Mamallapuram in
Tamil Nadu.In Durgi,a village of Guntur district,due to the
soft nature of the Durgi stone,sculptures are relatively smaller
in size ranging between 6 to 12 inches and
are not installed in temples.In Tirupati,cultured marble casts,though
not indigenous to the region,have been introduced as a substitute for
stone.The idols are smaller in size and cater to the piligrims.Fine
chisels are used in Durgi for detailing the soft sandstone.The master
craftsman passes on his knowledge according to the vaastuvidya
tradition wherein the guru,master,guides his apprentices with
spiritual and practical knowledge of the craft.
1. Soft stone sculpture of Santhana Nago-entwined snakes
worshipped as a fertility symbol,carved by a craftsman in
Ramadugu,Warangal district.
2. Idol of Saraswati,the Goddess of knowledge,cast from cultured
marble,Tirupati.
3. A template drawn on wood,used to make identical
pieces,Allagadda.
4. Soft stone idol of krishna carved by a shilpi in Durgi,Guntur
district.
5. Idol of Dakshinamurthi carved by craftsmen in Allagadda.
Production Clusters
Kurnool district:
Allagadda
Guntur district:
Durgi
Warangal district:
Ramadugu
Products
Vigraha-idols
Pillars
Tools
Metna-ruler
Kaivaram-dividers
Akurai-files
Compass
Emery paper
Measuring tape
Sutti-hammer
Uli-chisels
Chisels for
finishing:
Chanam
Bumper Cheernam
Juguraku
Pallavan