Shilpa Kala Shala
To find out how exactly the idols are carved and sanctified and to know about Shilpa Shastras, I recently interviewed Mr. K.B. Shankaranaranyan, disciple and son-in-Law of Acharya, a renowned sculptor who won many awards and prizes for his proficiency in stone sculpture. He received us in the Shilpa Shala in Devanahalli 35km from Bangalore. We sat in the museum, which was completed by him, after the Acharya's demise. We were among the hundreds who came to Devanahalli have for and near to imbibe the knowledge of the Indian Traditional sculpture, the age old process by which temples and sculpture are sanctified.
In this brief interview with Mr. K.B. Shankaranaranyan, the description of the procedures and techniques behind the sculpture in Indian traditional system has been mentioned. According to him the shilpi (sculptor) must know about the 'Shastra' and understand well about the method of sculpture and the reasons behind the procedures of traditional values. I am very grateful to my 'Guru' who taught me sculpture, Alayavastu ( Temple Architecture), Jyothishya (Astrology) and other subjects which are related to sculpture.
According to the ancient Indian sculpture the stone sculpture has got its unique significance. The sculpture in India is ancient and found in stone era. In India there are six major art forms which are called ‘Lalitha Kalegahr’. Those are Sangeetha (Music), Sahitya (Literature), Natya (Dance), Abhinaya (Drama) and Chitralekhana (Drawing and Painting). Comparatively the life span of stone media is more than other forms. So stone sculptures are more in India. With those evidence only, we found the civilization of the ancient people. Because the most Ancient ‘Images’ found in India are known to have been stone with the location and nature of the stone from which the stone is selected being of great significance.
