Handmade in India

WOOD CARVING
Production Clusters
Kanchipuram
district:
Mamallapuram
Chengalpattu
Kanniyakumari
district:
Nagercoil
Products
Ther-chariots
Doors
Vahana-mounts
Dvaja stambha-flag
poles
Idols,Figurines
Tools
Uli-chisels
Suthiyal-hammer
Ezhuppu uli-to
smoothen the surface
Keethu uli-for light
incisions
Vaal-hand saw
Files
Planer
THE WOOD CARVING tradition in Tamil Nadu is
second in prominence to stone carving.As stone is most
enduring of all materials,stone carving was related to
temples,monuments,architecture and scared
sculptures.The use of wood stemmed from its ability to
be carved into architectural elements such as
brackets,pillars and capitals and its potential for sculpting
idols.The availability of teak and vengai or country wood,
and the importance of worship and the construction of
temple chariots helped foster a high degree of
craftsmanship in the region.Besides temples,carved
elements were made for use in house construction as
well,which is evident in Chettiar mansions.In
Mamallapuram the wood carvers traditionally made ther
( temple chariots ) vahana ( mounts ) dvaja stambha ( flag
poles ) and doors.Idols are also carved in Chengalpattu
and Chennai.The craftsmen had migrated from
Suchindram whose temple is central to the craft practiced
in Kanniyakumari district.The present generation of
craftsmen makes furniture using wood turning
technique,as the demand for carving is done and
sometimes the carved figures are painted.The temple
chariot is a massive structure with enormous
wheels,replete with carved figures and motifs on the
vimana or superstructure made entirely from wood.The
deities are taken out in prcessions in the chariots during
the chariot festivals.
1 Puja mandapam,a miniature wooden shrine for
idols for worshipping at people`s homes.Besides
carving,some of the elements have been shaped by
turning them on a lathe.The product has a huge
market in India.
2a, 2b Wooden brackets and pillar made for a
temple.The pillar has peacock and swan motifs
which are auspicious symbols that are also used in
Kanchipuram silk brocades,stone and bronze
sculpture and brass lamps;Chennai
3 A carved figurine which will added to the temple
chariot,Papanasam in Thanjavur district.
4 Detail of a carved door with a swan motif made in
country wood;Mamallapuram.
5 Detail of a carved door with a swan motif.The
door is finished with a coat of
vanish;Mamallapuram.
A Yali mount for the deity. The vahanam or mount has been
coated with lime prior to the final painting.
Artisans assembling a Yali in a workshop in Papanasam, a
wood carving cluster. Yali is a mythical creature, its body
made of a combination of several animals.