Undercut Stone Carving - Varanasi
The undercut carving is observed at Varanasi, one of the main centers of stone carving in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The stones are collected from the mines and stacked. The stones are collected from Jhansi district as well. The stone block is cut with the help of stone cutting machine. The stone depending on what product has to made, is cut. The length and breadth of the stone are marked with the measuring compass. The stone is cut to the desired length and breadth, rough carving on the block is done in the initial stages. The head part, trunk and feet part of the elephant are all carved and marked in case of an elephant undercut stone carving work. The depth is given, the curve of the trunk, the separation of the feet, smoothening of the body part and the depth for the ears is done during the secondary carvings. Once the body part of the elephant is smoothened or made even, holes are drilled. Engraving bits are used to smoothen and smaller engraving tool helps to drill holes. The holes are drilled leaving even spaces between them. After drilling even holes, it is further drilled through each hole forming a block at the centre. This block is shaped to a baby elephant through the holes that are drilled. The holes become a see through and the baby elephant is visible. With another set of drilling bit designs are made on the body part of the undercut elephant. The designs on the face, body part and the tail is finished. The minute designs are completed and no polishing is required for the undercut elephant carving. The carved and undercut elephant is complete when all the fine detailing is done. Varanasi is one of the main centers where one gets to witness this undercut stone carving process. There are variety of products that can be seen in undercut work.
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