Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bronze Figures, Pottery, Stone Carving & Terracotta
In southern India and parts of the Himalaya, small images of deities are created by the age-
old lost-wax process. A wax figure is made, a mould is formed around it, and the wax is
melted, poured out and replaced with molten metal; the mould is then broken open to re-
veal the figure inside. Figures of Shiva as dancing Nataraja are the most popular, but you
can also find images of Buddha and numerous deities from the Hindu pantheon.
The West Bengalese also employ the lost-wax process to make Dokra tribal bell sculp-
tures, while in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, the Ghadwa Tribe has an interesting twist on
the lost-wax process: a fine wax thread covers the metal mould, leaving a lattice-like
design on the final product.
In Buddhist areas, you'll find striking bronze statues of Buddha and the Tantric deities,
finished off with finely polished and painted faces.
In Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu, craftsmen using local granite and
soapstone have revived the ancient artistry of the Pallava sculptors; souvenirs range from
tiny stone elephants to enormous deity statues weighing half a tonne. Tamil Nadu is also
known for bronzeware from Thanjavur and Trichy (Tiruchirappalli).
A number of places produce attractive terracotta items, ranging from vases and decorat-
ive flowerpots to images of deities, and children's toys. At temples across India you can
buy small clay or plaster effigies of Hindu deities.
Bidri
, a method of damascening where silver wire is inlaid in gunmetal (a zinc alloy) and rubbed with soil
from Bidar, Karnataka, is used to make jewellery, boxes and ornaments.
