Stone and Wood Carvings in Orissa

The stone and wood carvings in Orissa are two major crafts of the state. These crafts constitute important segments of the art and crafts of the region.

Stone carvings are one of the traditional crafts of Orissa. The craftsmen of of the state who are engaged in stone carvings have a rich lineage. Their predecessors were involved in some of the greatest works of art in the state. Some of these works are the renowned temples of Jagannath, Lingaraj, Konark, Khiching and Rajarani. These temples exhibit some highly skilled Orissa stone works.

The wide variety of stone works of Orissa produced in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Lalitagiri and Khiching are very much in demand. Both decorative and functional items are created by the stone carvers of these places. Different types of containers made up of kochila stone, sandstone, nilagiri stone, soap stone, kendumundi stone, serpentine stone and soft stone. A variety of figurines and some utilitarian items like ash-trays, vases and bowls.

The wood carvings of Orissa exhibit a perfect blend of classical and folk elements. The specialty of the wood items of this place is the wide range of colors, gloss and polish. The most common types of wood used for making these items are Gambhari, Teak and Piasal.

The wood items of the place are meant both for decorative and functional. Some of the most popular wood articles are various figurines of alphabets, animals,bowls and boxes. A variety of images of gods and goddesses are also carved out of wood by the wood carvers of Orissa. The flower vases, bowls, jugs, and vermilion boxes of Puri and Khandapara, toys of Baragarh and Puri and a variety of wood articles of Dhenkanal are some of the most well known wood works of the place.