Wood Carving is a traditional art of India as also of Karnataka. It amazingly exhibits a person's efficiency as well as imagination which can transform a simple log of wood into a marvelous object of art.
The works of wood carving are predominant in various parts of Karnataka. Whenever you go to the state never ever forget to see the intricately embellished wooden ceilings, doors as well as lintels. They are ornamented with nicely carved patterns. These outstanding craftsmanship points towards the rich cultural heritage of this sphere of art in the southern part of the country.
Wood carving in Karnataka exhibits the traditional art of unique wooden handicrafts. These woodcrafts are employed both for utilitarian as well as architectural purposes.
Karnataka has a densely populated forest reserve, hence it can provide enough raw material for its craftsmen. The wood carvings here are made by using the trees like:
- sal
- teak
- sheesham
- dudhi
- redwood
- rosewood
- red cedar
- ebony
The wood carving of Karnataka display the ancient techniques for:
- carving
- inlay-work
- coating
- painting
- lacquer articles in wood.
The ceilings and gateways of royal houses as well as the temples reveals hundreds of intricately carved figures of gods and goddesses. The Maharaja's palace in Mysore and the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan in Srirangapattna are the signatures of the expertize of the craftsmen who have done the marvelous woks of wood carving.
So next time when you go to Karnataka in India, make it a point to walk into the villages where you can actually witness the people creating the astonishing pieces of woodcrafts.
