Traditional bronze handicrafts from nine states on display

Chennai:

Traditional bronze handicrafts from nine states, including 108 Karanas of Natyashastra elegantly carved by artisans were on display at the Crafts Fair here on Monday.

The fair, which was inaugurated by deputy director of office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), southern regional office P Mallikarjunaiah, had some rare collections of traditional and mythological bronze, brass metal handicrafts, wood and stone carvings, spectacular collections of semi-precious stone jewelleries and rare rudrakshas.

Organised by Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Artisans Welfare Association (SRUSHTI), the exhibition is a joint venture of craftsmen in liason with craftsmen of other regions.

The bronze statues are antique reproduction of early Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara era. “The traditional art forms of India flourished during these era,” said R Srinivasan, treasurer of SRUSHTI, a welfare association started with 51 families 12 years ago.

These artisans originate from rural Tamil Nadu and carve the bronze statue day and night using traditional casting called Lost Wax Process, a process by which a metal sculpture is cast from an artist's sculpture. This takes months to years depending on the statues in bronze, brass, bell metal etc, Srinivasan said.

He said the traditional bronze collections are much sought after in the West and other countries as people in those areas want to know more about Indian culture. “Some of them want the ancient sculptures to be reproduced and these artisans carve it elegantly using their skills,” he said.

Lamps, Tanjore paintings, wood and stone carvings besides bronze statues of Ratha Krishna with Apsaras, Maha Vishnu and Ashtapuja Thandavam were also on display.