A LOOK INTO THE TRADITION OF CRAFTMANSHIP IN BANGALORE
The antiquate bungalows and magnificent palaces in Bangalore stand witness to the impressive arts and crafts of the city.
The interiors of some of these establishments are adorned intricate hand-crafted designs which hold beauty and culture beyond description
The age-old art of hand crafting has been passed on from one generation to the next and remain an integral part of the city’s history and culture
All kinds of crafts can be found in Bangalore, ranging for wood crafts from channapatna to metal, wood and marble crafts.
Listed below are a few of the most prevalent forms of crafts in Bangalore-
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Ivory and marble carvings
The art of carving designs onto animal tooth or tusk, mechanically or manually is known as ivory carving.
Humans have been craving ivory since prehistoric times and the tradition still continues to this day.
Ivory trade has however taken a hit in recent years due to the ban of ivory in various parts of the country.
As an alternative to ivory, marble carving has shown itself to be increasingly popular in recent years.
Marble carvings are prided in Karnataka, mostly depicting images of gods and goddesses.
2. Stone carvings
Craftsmen shape rough stone using sharp tools and chisel various designs and images onto them, which are then able to withstand decades of wear and tear thanks to the permanence of the material.
Bangalore is known for its stone crafts, and stone craftsmen from Karnataka have even won a myriad of awards including the prestigious Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Viswakarma Award.
3. Sandalwood crafts
Sandalwood, also known as “chandan” is one of the most aromatic trees known to man. Crafting sculptures out of “chandan” has been an age old tradition in South India.
Sandalwood also holds a great religious significance and is often used to create sculptures of deities and other religious figures.
The majority of sandalwood craftsmen in Karnataka reside in Bangalore and mysore, the products of the latter being exported to handicraft showrooms in Bangalore.
4.Wood crafts
Craftsmen in Karnataka still follow the traditional techniques of carving, inlay and painting wood. The carvings made by them speak volumes about their magnificent craftsmanship. Karnataka, abundant with forest reserves, is known for its exquisite wood carvings
Bangalore is home to a number of handicraft showrooms and emporiums, here are some of the best known-
1. Cauvery Emporium
Located in the heart of the city, Cauvery emporium in Brigade Road has been around since the early 1960’s and is considered a pioneer in
establishing various craft complexes across the state of Karnataka.
Indian crafts are in demand all over the world for their intricate work. KSHDCL markets the handicrafts of Karnataka under the brand name Cauvery through outlets across India. Decades of untainted and skilled
Craftsmanship has led to the name “Cauvery” becoming synonymous with quality.
Cauvery offers an array of crafts ranging from sandalwood sculptures and metalware to carved silver and marble.
2.Rajasthan Handicrafts and emporiums
Rajasthan Handicrafts is a known manufacturer and distributor of handicrafts items including but not limited to Rajasthani Textiles,Traditional décor pieces and jewelry.
The work done by these craftsmen is worth your time and praise, and the products available here truly reflect the artistic brilliance of these skilled craftsmen.
-Tusheetha Lawrence
Here's a short interview with Mr. G.N Rao, a local craftsman.
