Art & Crafts of India #4: Stone Sculptures of Mahabalipuram

When I think of 'Stone Sculptures' the first image that comes to mind is the amazing granite stone sculptures of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabalipuram"> Mahabalipuram</a>, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099149691083485890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG__kBj1g-ewOmsafr_sTmf3F5RCcHmnlmcOsHAK2eesov4Uwrn86X4opmi0azmUznxvISfzrktu0xWltx_94GTA_J6rCb6sD2huAAaz8p9cDv_uS9KFXsoenmN9oxLvCSYbTMjA8BOsBC/s400/ssculptures.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />There are various styles of stone sculptures in India but today I would like to share the absolutely stunning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallava">'Pallava Style'</a> sculptures from Mahabalipuram.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099149699673420498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqRoqGrnG-14SPLbPrsNqqXepv-Yd9_OQDOlHFJgilAoLx3eIYTm5HfhHmHt1c-c6bRtGfHjiWTlbTETkovCXHBUuQTWniTG-FXvI_B9stccNZYX5Kfpo3-gPBmaelyr3QLr-mpTs9djr/s400/ganesham.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>(A small stone Ganesha in my balcony)<br /></em><br />Apart from being a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site">Unesco World Heritage Site</a>, Mahabalipuram is also a hub for stone carvings & idols.<br />The sculptors or sthapathis as they are known in India, have been carrying on this rich tradition of carving from their forefathers where they use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaastu_Shastra">Vaastu Shastra</a> as well as mathematical precison for the execution of such exquisite sculptures.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099215305298867010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqSMj0jZrYYhOEvC7n59cVjYSWSUxWF5F03xLvWUHwzLKf15l6jMG1LVeFuSwmhPUbQcXrveHOfTsqy2bpfkHYYWGhrxSJ1N2GDhgiOpqOwJox0msGHGhCQFOPy2Uk8aCKn8CDUklTCk0/s400/sulp2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Here you'll find idols in various sizes and shapes, some specially made for temples, some custom-made for hotels and smaller ones for homes & gardens.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099158349737554690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1Zc9GCgWbm0RV9b3R3wpodpH3Tj51Qm54JMcj5jGw5Tm2LsiFBiKo3rKoe_ci2SaOp9CULz6QswIHgog2bUqa5-ypycJrhzm1MlGyB_gCUKKM_bJoVw1dRMlBNeG57mP26_pUIM_XubU/s400/ganesha.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Idols of Hindu Gods & Goddesses such as Ganesha, Gaja-Lakshmi, Shiva, Nandi are common.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>Here are some interesting ideas for using stone sculpture in home decor.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099157808571675362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkW6yHp6XzR9I2WqVOdFUoXmVISxu73hh0PNXxWvNy2jS_AvKs8xbiWJ2pXz_yhv9LTUZBjG_3WtLt7XhH3XLL-YpfWf115r8He95F0jOvs7aWKSZ1US56leBI54sCw7bBpmkENK3hgSs/s400/stone1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099216847192126290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwOs2ujNcn50SL2Zeogw2Etxjc6Du2y_LKPAIy-raLaqhSDvsPEerzdpGqrbPqfWA2vSqAX3CZS3_1bxDX2rUAIih-ZJffIXTCRwv8DKW6-9Q4YI9gg23GWvtB5EVpTkTqkO_9QLf1k5H/s400/ganesha2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>(A stone Ganesha in our balcony, I love decorating with fresh flowers:-) This pic is to show ideas for decorating with stone sculptures- This sculpture is Hoysala style*)<br /></em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099157812866642674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nTCSzWrQIz2HcF9QUSVeEEz-18sloj5HKeQb8F8qrPJeTOJOytc4OvNGbdcJco5ImwBwlk7Rfbi7CJ7slI9GzzoAJsCz83mE_aYcqNcpVnWEUCOkRo88yZ5bqwKMRKoZz_4ufC5ArUeD/s400/stone2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div>These exquisite pieces can be used indoors or in your gardens and balconies along with green plants...<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099242440902243186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtyksy55b2KdWSu2J8f61_WqHnCQky3j1oUBJvW3P-lz_FKS_gx_6ONaOm58OfoWJ4ZWDfiNJ-DkZzdcOuj9ygmDgnU0A3TdnxrjPpqtiq3dtjPswkvp5g3H4jBNp9PeoVAy8500ZF-so/s400/stone3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>* Will definitely post about Hoysala Style later in this feature:-)</em><br /><em><br />(some images from Inside Outside, October 2005 issue)<br /></em></div>

Art & Crafts of India #4: Stone Sculptures of Mahabalipuram

When I think of 'Stone Sculptures' the first image that comes to mind is the amazing granite stone sculptures of Mahabalipuram , ne...

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