Handmade in India

WOOD CARVING
WOOD CARVING of religious idols and
panels is a traditional craft of the Oddar
community.The entire family is involved
in the craft;the master craftsman makes
the drawing,male artisans do the carvings
and the women paint them.wood is
seasoned naturally by exposing it to the
changing weather conditions for many
days.It is cut to size and a sketch is drawn
on the wood with chalk.This sketch is
carved out roughly with chisels.The crude
carving is further smoothed with the use
of smaller chisels.Finer details of
ornamentation and the face are carved in
the end.The wood is then polished with
sandpaper.The eyes are carved after all
other processes have been
completed.Products are finished with
natural colour or with the application of
lacquer,or given an antique finish.The
wood carvings of figures resembled their
sandalwood counterparts in their intricate
details.The designs and motifs are usually
derived from architectural details of
temples.
1. Sculptural panel of a yakshi,a tree
spirit,with a deer and a stag.The tree
and stag are symbols of fertility.
2. Sculptural panel of a yakshi,a water
spirit,painted with enamel colours.
3. A braclet used to support the pillar.
4. An image of Vishnu.
5. Nandi,the bull,the mount of lord
Shiva.
Production clusters
Salem district:
Thammampatti
Madurai district:
Madurai
Virudhunagar
district:
Virudhunagar
Chennai district:
Chennnai
Perambalur district:
Arumbavur
Thanjavur district:
Papanasam
Kanniyakumari
district:
Nagercoil
Kanchipuram
district:
Mamallapuram
Products
Idols and religious
panels
Yali figurines
Door carvings
Vahanam-mounts for
deities
Tools
Carving tools:
Rambam-saw
Aakra-drill
Patta uli-flat,broad
chisel
Dokku uli-small
chisel
Tacchu uli-pointed
chisel
Elappu-planer for
levelling
Finishing tool:
Malu-metal rod used
as hammer
SOAPSTONE UTENSILS
ALMOST ALL FAMILIES IN Thankankoundanpalayam village have
been involved in making utensils of soapstone which are called
kalachattys.The process consists of cutting the stone down as blocks.It
is then cut to the size of the object that is to be made,and the objects is
directly carved and chiselled without any prior drawing.Neelam or
liquid blue added to stone powder is rubbed on all the objects for
uniformity of colour,and the object is then washed.The jars with lids
are good for storing pickles since the stone aids preservation.
1. Kuzhipaniyaram chatty,a
mould for preparing a
Chettinad sweet dish.
2. Soapstone products:a mortar
and pestle,storage jar with a
lid and a container.
Tools
Uli-chisels
Thavuttu uli-to
smoothen
Olai uli-to carve thin
ridges
Yetra uli- to carve out
holes
Kotla-to cut
Production Clusters
Namakkal district:
Namakkal
Products
Lamps
Kuzhipaniyaram
chatty-mould for
making a food dish
Sirpangal-idols
Incense stands
Candle stands
Paperweights
The advantage of using kalchatty utensils,for storing and serving food
NAtchatra vilakku-