Design Resource
Traditional Stone Carving - Khadirampura
Making of Idols - Hospet, Karnataka
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral,Divyadarshan C. S. and Lija M. G.
Introduction
Stone carving art is one of the craft of India which is been transferred by the stone carvers from their fore fathers to the younger generations. One of the craftsmen located at the Hospet regions of Karnataka in India said this art was transferred to him by a person called Somanna Siddappa Shilpi from Veerarama road of Gadag in Karnataka. Further started working at the Khadirampura of Hospet as this place is itself very famous for their vibrant carvings on the stones.
The stones are generally preferred from the Bellur Halebedu regions which engraves the special linings on its surface which gives a different look to the carved idols. Each craftsmen of this place follows the types of shali’s as per they have learnt and are comfortable at their work. Some follow the Vijayanagar Shaili, some the Chalukya Shaili and some others the Hoysala Shaili. Each depends on how the type of work is done on the Idol as per standing positions, sitting positions, slant positions etc. Measurements are taken as per the shilpa shastra with standing of 8 parts, sitting position of 5 parts and others referring to the shilpa shastra. Each Shaili varies as per the intricate work that is done in detail like Hoysala Shaili for very intricate works and Chalukya Shaili for very simple works.
The craftsmen says he has worked to about 1000 designs to till date starting the stone carving at his very young age. Hampi is itself famous for the stone carved works which have been said to be done during the period of the Emperors rule. Even today the stone carvers at the Hampi / Hospet region try their best to put in the carved works seen around for which it is largely famous for. It is observed that the stone carvers sits in the hot sun to carve out the mass of stone to the required shapes and sizes for which they have trained.
