Wood Carving - Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the states in the south of India. The capital of this state is Chennai. Tamil is the language spoken in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is generally known for the temples, which attracts people through the spiritual means. In Tamil Nadu history, the temple architecture was very vital. The innumerable temples of Tamil Nadu are themselves wonderful achievements of art. The stone carvings of Mahabalipuram, the paintings of Tanjore, the mats of Pattamadai, woodcarvings of Chettiand are famous throughout the country. Besides these, the dolls made during the Navaratri celebrations and baskets made of bamboo reeds are other popular local crafts.
Madurai is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. Madurai is the third largest city by population in Tamil Nadu and is 25th populated city in India. Madurai is famous for its rosewood carvings. The style is marked by its bold forms, the details being minutely and thoroughly worked out. Madurai is also famous commercially and is known all over the world for its fresh sweet perfumed jasmine flowers.
Sculpting is possibly one of the oldest techniques of creating artifacts. Throughout human history sculptures have been created using several methods. Wood carving being the most prominent among them.
Wood is an essential part of our life. Wood is an essential part of the architectural design of homes, palaces and temples, as well as other community places throughout history. Therefore, in the history of India, wooden sculptures play an important role. Every region of India had developed its own style of wooden structures. This style is very unique to that place and marked with a distinct type of carving. Wood is one of the element that helps in the sustenance of life that supplements the livelihood of the human beings to a great extent. Wood has been in a different use with human beings such as fuel, floorings, furniture, utensils and as part of the construction.
A material like wood provided a very excellent medium for artists in India to express their creativity. Sculptures of India have a vibrant history that marks for its uniqueness. Since many years craftsmen have created many masterpiece in the wood.
From the southern parts of India, the wooden sculptures and toys are very much popular for their intricate carving works and careful finishing. In Indian wood sculpture, Idols of god, goddesses and demigods are the most preferred themes through this presentation. Throughout the history of Indian art, woodcarving seems the most expensive kind of art. Wood sculpture was produced from many centuries back.
Mr. M. A. Muthukrishnan wood carving sculpture living in Tamil Nadu. Mr. M. A. Muthukrishnan worked as a trainee in Delhi “All India Handicraft” in the year 1972- 1974 and also worked in “Poomphur” for 2-4 years.
