Design Resource
Interstate Stone Sculpting Camp - Andhra Pradesh
Dravidian University, Kuppam
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Srikanth B.
Karnataka Shilpakala Academy
Karnataka Shilpakala Academy is a dedicated institute for art and sculpture. The institution is armed with the tools, artwork, traditional sketches, ancient books (Shilpa Granthas), manuscripts with the hidden secrets of arts and sculpture. Shilpa Kala Shala was established in 1952 and was founded and modified by late A.C.H. Acharya. As a child who has a passion for nature and animals, Acharya developed his life into a world of sculpture, art, religion, and the vision-setting world for all who came to him for guidance and development of not alone sculpture but also spirit. Acharya's ancestors were also running Shilpa Kala Shala (Gurukul). Sri Acharya translated many books in Kannada from secret manuscripts of sculpture. Acharya has got many awards and honored by the great people of the world. Bharat Ratna M. Visweswaraya was the first visitor of Shilpa Kala Shala. Acharya was guided and inspired by M. Visweswaraya. As the birthplace of M. Visweswaraya is near to Devanahalli, Visweswaraya was very close to Acaraya's father, Shilpi Chennakeshavacharya, and was visiting Shilpa Kala Shala quite often. It is also said that the ancestors of Acharya were also sculptors who were invited by the 'Palegars' (Rulers) of Devanahalli for the construction of fort, temples, and sculptures.
The main reason for this academy to be established is that in modern days with a busy life, all humans are leading a nomadic life, and there is no time to observe nature's beauty. There was a reborn of Shilpakala academy for the modern age to get the past back to the present age. We were able to find all the stone carving and sculptures were sculpted by ancient people in the temples and historical places. Shilpakala started to choose and pick the most skillful and trained Sculptors or artists to show their best work on the present status to change the trend. It has been over 20 camps, which have been conducted by Shilpakala academy, and their results were a hyper success. They have different types of camps: cement sculpting, stone carving, fiber casting, and metal casting organized in various states of India by Shilpakala academy. The artisans are skilled, and their statuses are famous up worldwide. To sustain the olden style of India's ancient dynasties like Chalukya Dynasty, Chola dynasty, Gupta Dynasty, Hoysala Dynasty, Kakatiya Dynasty, Kalachuri Dynasty, Maurya Dynasty, Koravi Dynasty, Pallava Dynasty, Rastrakuta Dynasty, Satavahana Dynasty, and Vijayanagar Dynasty. The artwork is being prompted with the feel of life and strength in present artists' work similar to the olden ages.
