Stone Carving, A Fantastic Art and Great Indian Glory

Stone carving is a prominent art in temple construction. As a result, Hindu temples, anywhere in the world gets loaded with the stone works.

Introduction:

Stone carving is an ancient tradition in the Indian subcontinent. Since old ages, Indian sculptors have produced amazing statues in stone and metal. Accordingly, the archeological department found various statues in the Indian subcontinent. During excavations of the Indus Valley civilization, they discovered a sculpture of a dancing doll. However, it’s in bronze metal.

Arts in Mandirs:

The ample availability of various types led to the decoration and construction of temples using stones in India. However, the skills of Stone art have been an ancient practice. Magnificent carvings on various stone types have been the glory of Indian history.

Transportation to carving and fixing of master art pieces on temple walls are indeed, nothing less than wonder. Construction techniques of those times with certain geometric precisions are a rare phenomenon. Specifically, the soaring heights of temple spires have all to say in a single gaze.

Stone carving on external wall of a temple.

The carvings on mythology and religious symbols of Hinduism are extraordinary art depictions.

Different stones and properties:

Sandstone:

Sandstone is a soft one and easy to work with. At the same time, it possesses the quality to live longer without considerable erosions. Stone structures have proven records in Indian civilization. These are rather Hindu temples, destined to last for another several hundred years.

This is a porous material and thereby, gives a uniform rough look. However, the pores on the surface allow liquids to pass through stone grains. Additionally, the binding agents and minerals in the stone produce different shades of color. It may be pink to yellow, or white and black. The brown and grey shades are among the most popular in the sandstone. Besides, the particle or grain size up to 2 mm is easily visible on the stone structure.

Marble:

It is another widely used stone type for carving purposes. There are a variety of shades in the market. For instance, the US marbles are available in more than 230 shades. Moreover, it is harder than sandstone and houses finer carvings. Sandstone and marble are extensively used in Nagara-style temples in North India.

Marble is a calcium carbonate substance with visible calcite crystals in its structure. Additionally, it’s a translucent, but hard natural rock. Above all, the dazzling particles in marble make it polishable to shine with unparalleled grandeur. Eventually, it became the best choice in Hindu and Jain temples.

Granite:

Each granite lot is indeed unique in shade and its structural patterns. It is the second toughest material following diamonds. Therefore, granite is not suitable for minute carvings like marble. Stains on granite surfaces are not easy to remove because of the porosity.

Granite sculptures are, in fact, a secondary choice to the availability of marble or other softer stones. Yet, it is widely used in temples of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Limestone and Soapstone:

This is the right one for stone carving. It is soft, but durable except in acidic waters. Besides, limestone is a good thermal conductor. Therefore, sculptures or any stonework with limestone maintain its temperature on scorching heat days. Amazingly, it doesn’t allow water penetration because of its crystalline nature.

Grey, white, and creamy shades are popular in limestones. However, light coffee color is also in use exceptionally.

Carving on soapstone is as easy as wooden carvings. Its hardness is 1 compared to sandstone, marble, and granite ranging between 6 and 8 on the Mohs scale. Heavily loaded with talc in more than ¾ portion of the stone makes it softer, understandably.

Further, the physical properties make it safe against acidic and alkaline exposures. Of course, it readily gets scratches on material. So, polishing is the best way to deal with it. Surprisingly, it retains its aesthetic quality both in polished and unpolished state.

Method of stone carving:

First of all, the trained and experienced craftsman selects a stone. The color and type of stone are usually of the architect’s choice.

The artist finalizes a piece of stone while observing its natural configuration. The size and thickness are also important for a particular sculpture.
First of all, the outline of a sculpture is marked on the stone with perfect precision. Next, the artist roughly removes extra mass from it.
Now, with the help of different hammers and chisels, the artist prepares the primary shape.
Frequent sprinkling of water becomes important while working on a stone because constant hammering produces heat in this process. Additionally, it becomes necessary to wash off stone particles of the chiseled stone from the surface for clear vision.
Before carrying out the detailed carving, the smoothing process is followed. The stone remains submerged in fiery hot water for about 12 hours.
Further carving with a sharp chisel becomes easy. Hence, the well-experienced artisan then gives it a final touch.