STONE CRAFT OF INDIA

Many kinds of rock originated on earth after numerous geological activities. These rocks with their different compositions were called stones like Redstone, Soapstone, Sandstone, limestone, marble, granite and many others. Indian land mass is formed from several types of rocks and stones here were used in efforts forts, palaces, temples, sculptures, household items and for other purposes. In India, stone crafting traditions have their roots in prehistoric times, as at that time, the weapons and tools were made of stone. More professionalism in stone craft came in the 7th Century BC. During this time, there were several guilds of stone masons and sculptors in India. In the Maurya rule stone craft reached to its perfection. A number of rock stupas, rock-cut caves and Buddhist Chaityas were increased in this period. Be made in India to take all kinds of stone sculptures and structures for Shilpshastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on sculpture and architecture.

In India, there are some regions which are stone rich in culture. Almost every part of India has its own style of stone crafting ddepending on the type of stone found and the tools used, the style and the processing is different and unique.

Stone Craft of Orissa:

Stone carving is one of the most important crafts of Orissa. Several archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculpture, carves and magnificent temples testify the claim.

All these have undergone intricate and very fine stone work of the skillful hands of craftsmen. The temples of Puri, Konark, Lingaraj, Parasurameshwar and Mukteshwar is only designed to stone miracle. The stupas erected on Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri Udaygiri and are only par-excellence. The art of stone craft reached climax in antiquity and the early Middle Ages in Orissa with detailed exploration of every nuance of the stone trade. This art has automatically passed on to the present generation from their earlier generations. This race is not far behind its predecessors in creating the exact replica of the old masterpieces. Similarly, small sculptures are made in the large quantity of food to the great demand of visitors and locals. Her we are giving brief summary of few of regions which are most popular for its stone carvings.

Stone Craft of Rajasthan :

Rajasthan has, though scarcity in wood and forest, but it has plenty of stone mineral.The landmass of Rajasthan in various rocks such as granite, marble, quartzite, schist and other metamorphic rocks rich. The forts and castles made of Bharatpur, Baroli, Ramgarh, Nagda, Ajmer, Chittor, Mandsore, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Udaipur have been with these stones. The jaaliwork or the lattice of Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and is of good quality and complicated to quit. Rajasthan is the most important marble quarries Makrana. The marble mined here is deep in the world famous stone sculpture of Taj Mahal will be used and the stone wonder Dilwara Jain temples on the mountain. Abu. The artistry involved in Dilwara Jain temple is exquisite, delicate, complicated and simply fascinating. Various places in Rajasthan have found that different types of famous stones. Kota is the center of the production of gray stone, which is used in the soil do. Also Barmer and Ajmer for the famous Yellowstone and granite respectively. Beautiful statues of deities are made with the soft stone from the quarries of Dungarpur reduced. Jaipur is the place where sculptures of all kinds are of white marble. The statues of deities carved in Rajasthan are sent to all areas of the country.

Stone Craft of Uttar Pradesh :

Mathura, Varanasi and Agra are the famous centers for stone craft in Uttar Pradesh. Some pieces of stone sculptures were of the excavations at Mathura and other adjacent areas belonging Mauryan period were identified. The interesting fact is that lavishly used stone in these sculptures is the red sandstone mined from the Chunar. It shows that this country once the center of Masonry a few thousand years back. During the Middle Ages, under the Mughal rule were built several beautiful palaces and fortresses, especially with the help of stone. Some examples of the fascinating stone sculptures if Uttar Pradesh are: Red Fort of Agra, the Taj Mahal, the palace of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's grave at Sikandara and much more.

At the present time, the focus of the stone craftsmen is changing to be made to explore new types of stones as well as new items. Today, they make the stone sculptures that beautify the home or gift items like candlesticks, ashtrays, jewelry boxes, and Taj replicas. Carved pillars, railings and fireplaces are the architectural objects that make the craft persons.

Rupbas near Agra and Karauli are the quarries that produced the red stone used in the forts and palaces Agra, Delhi and Fatehpur Sikri.

At Varanasi the stone is used, not hard marble but soft stone called Gorara. This is the stone which is brought from the Hamirpur and Mahoba areas. This stone has a unique quality to change its colors on polishing. Shells and the maintenance of courts are the most popular products of gorara stones. Sonia and Kalimohal areas Gokulpura Varanasi and Agra are the centers of the area of the main activities of stone craft in UP .

Stone Craft of Southern India :

In South India, the temple architecture Hoyasalas at Halebid and Belur most beautiful and fine example of stone crafts. 57 meter high stone statue of Jain saint Gomateshwara on Shrabanbelgola is another example of the marvelous stone art. Similarly, the ruins of Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi in Bellary, the samples of the glorious Indian tradition of Stone craft.

Other classic stone examples of stone craft in the southern part of India are: Meenakshi Temple Madurai and 1000 columns mandaps, Chidambaram Temple with beautiful panels with 108 Karanas the Natya Shastra, Kanchipuram introduction of a number of temples from the time he Pallawas to Nayaks granite and carvings at Mamallapuram and Chingalpet. The Kailash temple at Ellora caves is the monolithic structure whose craft is just unique and astonishingly beautiful .