Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. The phrase may also refer to the finished product, from individual sculptures to hand-worked mouldings composing part of a tracery.
The walnut wood carving of Kashmir employs a process of hand carving done very carefully and delicately in various styles by means of varied tools, fabricated locally depicting forms and motifs that have evolved over a period of centuries.
The process is representative of local tradition of carving, evolved from stone and transmitted later on through the medium of wood representing various facets of carving; from flat to deep relief that employs a subtle three-dimensional effect.
The carving employs a host of motifs that depict the varied flora and fauna of the region in a highly stylized manner also reflective of other associated Kashmiri handicrafts.
The desired effect and craftsmanship is achieved by the master craftsman (wasta or naqash) through calculated measured strokes for chipping, carving and rounding of the surface. The entire process is highly representative of the art of stone sculpture (shilpi) though on a more miniaturized scale.
The Kashmiri walnut wood craftsman rejoices in carving intricate and varied designs based on lively natural forms. Thus elaborate and intricate carvings form the essentials of what is termed as good quality wood carving. This tendency or rather fascination for detail seems to have developed in the latter part of the 19th Century under European influences when the bold and effective woodcarving of yesteryears was replaced by a highly intricate process of undercutting in the 19th Century.
In today’s contemporary market, Kashmiri walnut woodcarving is recognizable because of colour and tone of the material (walnut) and its combination with local craftsmanship depicting certain established motifs in a highly intricate and miniaturized form in the traditional established styles. The Kashmir walnut woodcarving is practiced in the five main styles:
a) Undercut (Khokerdar): This type of carving is highly reflective of traditional stone carving involved in the making of sculptures.
Woodcarving is an ancient craft practiced in India long before the age of ancient stone sculptural age. It is the artistic practice of shaping and decorating wooden objects into diverse utilitarian and decorative handicrafts items. The most common varieties of wood used for this craft are teak, sal, oak, ebony, mango, sheesham, etc.
Wood carving is a time consuming process. Small items of carved
Wooden handicrafts may take a week to be made. Large items requiring elaborate carving may take few months for their manufacture.
Main clusters: Saharanpur is world famous for its wood carving and is known as
â??Shisham Wood Villageâ?? or â??Wood Cityâ?? of India. Other important
Centres of wood carving in India are Manipur, Bhopal, Nagpur, Chennai, Madurai, Mysore, etc. Kashmir is famous for walnut wood carving.
Artisans involved: Number of artisans involved in some of the clusters are59:
Saharanpur: Over 250 artisans and 15 self-help groups (SHGs) Manipur (Kakching): Over 266 artisans and 17 SHGs
Bhopal (Sheopur Kalan): 300 artisans and 25 SHGs Nagpur (Bhandara): Over 300 artisans and 30 SHGs Khairpadar: Over 529 plus artisans and 25 SHGs
Raw material used: Raw materials used for wood carving are wood, babul Gond (gum),
Potassium permanganate, Chandras (lac grains in acid), harmach powder (for an antique finish), wood preservative, varnish, materials for embossing, fevicol, zinc, colours
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