Free Patterns For Wood Sculptures Indians

Some Indian desert?

A trip to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is a trip to the border of the Thar — beyond the city is the bleak and beautiful yellow expanse of camel land! The Sonar Kila or Golden Fort defines Jaisalmer which lay on the prosperous Spice Route. Its balconies (jharokhas) are made of finely carved yellow sandstone in lace-like patterns. The experience within the fort, said to be the second oldest in Rajasthan after Chittorgarh, is quite different from the one at Mehrangarh in Jodhpur. For, this is a living fort and not a museum, with many families residing within its sprawling premises.

As we enter we see vendors displaying their colourful ware of large puppets and embroidered hangings on the fort walls. In the narrow lanes within are small shops that stock the spirit of Rajasthan — painted wooden artefacts, colourful paintings and turbans of bandini and lehariya.

There are quite a few Jain temples located within the fort. The faces of the marble images of the Thirthankaras radiate peace while the pillars and ceilings have a profusion of delicate carvings. Down narrow steps in the temple of Sambhavnathji and we enter the Gyan Bhandar, the small chamber where books and palm-leaf manuscripts, some dating to the 12th century, are stored.

The many-floored former palace at the entrance occupies a chunk of the fort. The city was founded by Rawal Jaiswal in 1156 A.D., and in the palace you see portraits of the former rulers, the coronation throne and artefacts. Some of the royal robes are also displayed, including the enormous one of a Rawal, who was over seven-foot tall! The image of Goddess Parvati is strikingly beautiful.

The local resident who accompanies us is keen to point out photographs of Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan being received by the present Rawal during a visit some years ago. “The Rawal doesn't live here,” he tells you regretfully.

Jaisalmer, under many of its brave rulers, is said to have repelled invaders from Afghanistan. Perhaps it was this steely determination of its inhabitants that made Jaisalmer thrive, despite the harsh climate and perennial lack of water, and adorn itself with beautiful architecture.

By evening we are in a complete change of scene as we drive towards the desert. During the mandatory camel ride we view the sunset — the great crimson orb slowly disappearing behind the dunes. Night sees us in a desert camp. This is tourism at its best with the ceilings of the luxurious tents covered in golden yellow textile with floral Mughal motifs.

Rosewood Carved | ASIAN ANTIQUES

India is known as the land of many Gods and Goddesses. Indians worship different Gods according to their customs and beliefs. The tradition of worshipping God & Goddesses started way back in Pre-historic times, because of which every region in India had developed their own style of worshipping their respective Gods & Goddesses. With the same the trend of worshiping idols began and people started carving wood or metal as Gods & Goddesses, marked with a distinct type of carving strongly influenced by local traditions with the materials that were locally available. To make a carved sculpture, the artist uses a hammer and chisel to cut away the surplus from a block of wood. In Indian wood carvings, the idols of Gods, Goddesses & demigods are the most preferred themes. In southern parts of India the wooden sculptures & toys are very popular for their intricate carving works & finesse where as in northern India a distinct style of sculpture is found through the furniture from these states that are prominent.

 Specialized techniques of carvings are used in variety of ways on wood, amongst which sandalwood carving is considered as one of the most important. Originally, the deities- Shiva usually in the form of Natraja, Lord Vishnu, Devi, lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and others were created in sandalwood, but now not only idols of Gods or Goddesses but also animals and other related sculptures are done for home decoration.

Throughout the history of Indian art, the wooden carvings done on temples and these decorated with doors, ceilings and various fittings carved in teak and other kind of woods are the well known examples of the historic Indian art. The temple of Somnath from the northwest coast is famous for its beautiful wooden sculpture. The doors of the temple are famous for their magnificence and are highly valued as sacred relics. On the same lines almost all the architecture including a door, column, gallery or even a whole house front is covered with most the intricate design at Bhera in Shahpur. The sculptures at the Great Stupa at Bharhut, in northern India, constructed dating back approximately in the middle of 2nd century BC are the earliest examples of this art. All the figures at Bharhut are like a series in which ancient happenings or small events are depicted in the from of a continuous narration.

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