Stone, an inert matter of solidity and stolidity gets instantly transitioned into a thing of beauty and permanence, throbbing with life-like gestures and emotions under the sculpture’s subtle interplay of chisel and hammer. This exquisite art form of Carving that owes its origin in Palaeolithic age, thereby called as the oldest portable art of human civilization,had had its flourishing manifestation in Odisha in the 13th century A. D when the Sun temple came up to showcase the India’s Cultural and Architectural miracle.And this chiselling saga still echoes in a remote rustic village Kandagarh in Kalahandi district of Odisha.
Location :
Adhering to illustrious American poet, Robert Frost’s laudable line-“Road leads road, you can find multiple roads & route that lead to Kandagarh if you are passionate about beholding the amazing craftsmanship and subtleties of carving art.On road you can have your access from Bhawanipatna, the district head quarter covering a distance of about 85KM ;going past Junagarh,Moter,Koksara and Ampani to reach the ever longing destination, Kandagarh.
Evolution :
The pioneer of the stone carving legacy of Kandagarh was Late Narasingha Naik, born and brought up amid the age-old mountains that surround his modest village, Kandagarh, was passionate about collecting stones out of the mountains and transforming them into different items of households in his own expression. The children were very fond of him, for he was making beautiful wheels of toy carts for them.This apart, he started making idols of Gods and goddesses and their ritual items like lamp and stands for lamp and incense. What is utterly strange is that till date, nobody knows who had taught him the art of stone carving.Nevertheless, it is widely believed that as the region comes under Gudhandi, a site for prehistoric caves as well as paintings and inscriptions that date back to 25000 to 2000 CE,the old man might have mastered the carving art from his forefather on traditional basis.In tune with the ebb and flows of time, the age-old craving art descended down to Mohan Majhi, Kashinath Majhi and Shatrughana Majhi of Kandagarh.
Flourishment:
As time has its own turn, the hidden talents of these artisans of Kandagarh came to the notice of Block administrations of Koksara.In a bid to rear and nurture the fledgling talents of the locality in stone carving art,the administration started a training centre at Kandagarh.As many as 10 young men endowed with rare artistic excellence of the Kandagarh village were selected ;again dividing them into two groups each having five members were imparted training by the then doyen of carving art,late Narasingha Naik and Bairagi Charan Mallick.Very soon, the successful completion of the training paved the way for the establishment of “Budharaja Stone Carving Center” with due registration in 1985.The artisans of the Budharaja Stone Carving Centre were passionate and patient enough over the years in producing carving products range from Hindu deities,utility items and anything that can be made out of stone.Subsequently, as the carving centre mustered more reputations day by day, more number of young men of Kandagarh came forward to pursue the stone carving profession and joined the centre. Even they found it to be a viable employment to earn their bread and butter.
Process of stone carving followed by artisans of Kandagarh:
In order to attain artistic excellence in their product, the artisans of Kandagarh follow certain order as given below :
i. Stone Collection :
As per the proposed item to be carved, the artisans of Kandagarh searched stones.According to the artisans,the carving on stone is divided into two types, i, e,
a. Carving of the idols of deity whic is again of two tupes;the idol in sitting posture and the idol in standing posture.
b. Carving for the fashionable items:For this the artisans needs various kinds of stones like sandstone,soft stone, marble,Granite and etc.
ii. Design & Planning :The artisans carefully plans the design by drawing a detailed sketch or mental image of the final piece.
iii. Rough Shaping:At this stage, the artisan removes the large sections of the stone to determine the basic form of the piece.
iv. Detailed carving:It involves obtaining intricate details, contours and textures using finer tools.
V. Smoothing and polishing:This stage involves rigorous sanding and buffing to achieve flawless finish.Polishing produces natural colour and luster.
Tools used by artisans of Kandagarh :
The tools used for carving by the artisans of Kandagarh are very few and simple. As bulk of them are not properly educated, they hardly feel comfortable with the sophisticated modern tools. They use simple tools like hammers,mallets, Chisel. They also use various tools in different shapes and sizes characteristics of local products and local names like tagi, guna,martul, thuk-thuki, nihana, tagi, sand paper, Dimond cutter and etc.
Accomplishments:
The ‘Budharaja Stone Carving Centre’housed at Kandagarh during its inception in 1985 has had its bigger version at the adjacent of the famous Budharaja temple at Ampani under Koksara block in 1993. At present, 60 numbers of trained and highly experienced artisans have been putting up their passion, precision and above all patience in infusing life into the inert stones in transforming them into decorative and utility items out of black stones like Bull, Sivalinga,Garuda pillar,Ten incarnation of the Hindu gods,Dasha Mahavidya;out of soft slate stones like Ganesh, Laxmi, Saraswati,Durga, Debadashi and etc. These apart, their versatile craftmanship showcase utility items like water pot for animal,masala grinder, chakki(to grind grain) Table lamp stand,pen stand, table bowl,door panel, flower vase, bookshelves,cup, plate, and etc. What makes their items on rising demands across the local, national and international markets is their life-like entity with a blend of traditional and modern touch.
The carved items of Kandagarh have already reached the national and international markets. Even the exhibition of the items at Janata Maidan, New Delhi mustered overwhelming appreciation and admirations.
Sites for fetching raw stones:
Though not in substantial measure, yet a few Varieties of raw stones for carving are found around Kandagarh. Some of them are Slate stones at Tetel ladia terminals near Ampani hills,Black igneous stones at Dhobenpara of Khaligarh village and soft granite at Colony para, Dunguri of Kandagarh. However, the sites lack in abundance and varieties to meet the artisans’ artistic freedom and the choice of the potential buyers.
Challenges faced by artisans:
- Lack of adequate raw materials:Varities of stones as per the needs of the artisans to meet the market demands are not available in Kalahandi.Fetching raw materials from distant places invariably is enhancing the cost of the carving items.
- Economic factor:Fluctuating market demand,pricing pressure and increasing cost of raw materials are dampening the spirit of the artisans in making their master piece.
- Skill preservation & Succesion:In the wake of the declining interest of the young generations,the traditional craft is under the threat of losing potential skills, knowledge and expertise
- Lack of effective promotion and marketing:The carving items of excellent craftmanship and beauties are not reaching to the broader audience for want of effective promotion and marketing.
- Lack of access to modern techniques and machines:The artisans of the young generation want to render their artistic endeavors in tune with the modern training,techniques and technologies, but the same are yet to within their reach.
- Lack of workshops :The quality workshops on stone carving is not being organized on regular basis.
It is rightly said, “Each carved stone carries with it the history of the artisan who created it, as well as the cultural heritage of the community it comes from.” Therefore, it is high time on the part of governmental and nongovernmental agencies, art lovers as well as the mainstream intellectuals across the Kalahandi District and the State as well to put up a collective effort in unison to render rightful steps and measures to elevate the status of the awesome artisans of Kandagarh who by virtue of their praiseworthy passion,patience and precision leave no stone unturned to perpetuate the most oldest portable stone carving legacy, or else the embodiment of the rich cultural heritage would inevitably fad into oblivion.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Bankim Mund
Lecturer in English
Dharmgarh Women’s Jr. College, Dharamgrh, Kalahandi Mob 8327717672
You can reach to him : bankim.mund@gmail.com