Stone Craft

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The rich heritage of stone crafts in Bihar is evident from the ancient sculptures of the Mauryan period. Bihar is the land of Buddha. The stone craft of Bihar reflects the Buddhist tradition that includes the Buddhist Middle Way of Life. Stone images of Gaya repeat the messages given by Lord Buddha. The tradition of stone crafts of Bihar dates back to ancient times and reached its peak during the Mauryan period. The stone-cut area of ​​NeemchakBathani block of Gaya is one of the major centers of stone craft in Bihar. The stone sculpture of Bihar depicts some large sculptures of Gautama Buddha which are originally found in neighboring places of Gaya. Among these, various stupas and monasteries stand as great examples of the outstanding artistic quality of the artisans of Bihar.

The Pala period was a period of stone crafts being built in workshops and becoming commercial. Like Rajasthan, the stone villages of Gaya district of Bihar. Khukari and Kaimur villages have a similar heritage of stone-craft. Even today statues of Buddha are being made in Gaya region. The soul of Hindu deities is becoming tangible and safe in stone. The Buddha land of Lord Buddha was known and his Tapabhumi, a stone village situated in the middle of Rajgir, is famous for stone sculptures.The credit of settling this village goes to Ahilyabai, the Holkar ruler of Indore. During his reign of 30 years, he built the famous Vishnupad temple in Gaya. Ahilyabai had brought with her about one thousand craftsmen from Jaipur (Rajasthan) to construct the Vishnupad Temple, which is suitable for experts. After the construction of the temple, most of the Shilpi settled in the Pattharkatti village located near Gaya.Those craftsmen got protection from the surrounding kings and zamindars, due to which the stone sculpture flourished. Even today, 90 percent of the houses in Patharkatti and its adjacent Khukhari village are carved with idols. Which are sold in markets in Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Stone crafts have been an important part of life in Bihar since the beginning. It has become an everyday connected business in Bihar.The Buddha statues of stone built in Bihar have become an attraction of the world market today. Stone craft has been religious from the beginning. But now stone forms of artistic elephant, tiger and deer are also becoming popular. His baby small elephant inside an elephant in reticulated shape is one such artistry of FirangiLal Gupta of Kaimur district of Bihar which is prevalent in the world market. In this, the electric bulb has also been encircled without connecting it, which is giving the meeting rooms a glow with the speckled light. The people of the village first collect the stones according to their needs, then they sketch on the stone according to the size and shape of the idol. The waste parts are then dismantled and removed. In ancient times, machines were not used in stone crafts. At that time all the work was done through a chisel-hammer. Therefore, it used to take three to four days to bring the stone to size for an idol.But since the invention of electrically operated cutters, molding machines, drillers etc., and the work is done within few hours. However this process is difficult and it requires great patience, dexterity, experience and sharp eyesight. If there is a slight omission, then there is a risk of loss of thousands.

In the next stage, it is rubbed with stone. Most women do the work of wear. This work is also very patient. Very difficult, just keep sitting and sitting. Compared to smaller sculptures, it takes relatively longer to wear large sculptures.Many a times, those women also get peeled off. But still they continue in their work of wear and tear for hours, then the ears, nose, lips, etc. are shaped. This process also requires a lot of vigilance. In the final stage, the idols are made of stone “. Marble sculptures are made by mixing silver or gold paint.Many a times, those women also get peeled off. But still they continue in their work of wear and tear for hours, then the ears, nose, lips, etc. are shaped. This process also requires a lot of vigilance. In the final stage, the idols are made of stone “. Marble sculptures are made by mixing silver or gold paint.

Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan
Patliputra Industrial Area
Patna – 800 013. Bihar. India.

Opening Hours:

Mon – Sat: 10:00 am – 05:00 pm

Meeting Hours:

Artisans/Weavers can meet Director on every Saturday between 3:00PM to 5:00 PM.

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