SOAPSTONE UTENSILS

WOOD CARVING WOOD CARVING of religious idols and panels is a traditional craft of the Oddar community.The entire family is involved in the craft;the master craftsman makes the drawing,male artisans do the carvings and the women paint them.wood is seasoned naturally by exposing it to the changing weather conditions for many days.It is cut to size and a sketch is drawn on the wood with chalk.This sketch is carved out roughly with chisels.The crude carving is further smoothed with the use of smaller chisels.Finer details of ornamentation and the face are carved in the end.The wood is then polished with sandpaper.The eyes are carved after all other processes have been completed.Products are finished with natural colour or with the application of lacquer,or given an antique finish.The wood carvings of figures resembled their sandalwood counterparts in their intricate details.The designs and motifs are usually derived from architectural details of temples.

1. Sculptural panel of a yakshi,a tree spirit,with a deer and a stag.The tree and stag are symbols of fertility.

2. Sculptural panel of a yakshi,a water spirit,painted with enamel colours.

3. A braclet used to support the pillar. 4. An image of Vishnu. 5. Nandi,the bull,the mount of lord

Shiva.

Production clusters

Salem district:

Thammampatti

Madurai district:

Madurai

Virudhunagar district:

Virudhunagar

Chennai district:

Chennnai

Perambalur district:

Arumbavur

Thanjavur district:

Papanasam

Kanniyakumari district:

Nagercoil

Kanchipuram district:

Mamallapuram

Products

Idols and religious panels

Yali figurines

Door carvings

Vahanam-mounts for deities

Tools

Carving tools:

Rambam-saw

Aakra-drill

Patta uli-flat,broad chisel

Dokku uli-small chisel

Tacchu uli-pointed chisel

Elappu-planer for levelling

Finishing tool:

Malu-metal rod used as hammer

ALMOST ALL FAMILIES IN Thankankoundanpalayam village have been involved in making utensils of soapstone which are called kalachattys.The process consists of cutting the stone down as blocks.It is then cut to the size of the object that is to be made,and the objects is directly carved and chiselled without any prior drawing.Neelam or liquid blue added to stone powder is rubbed on all the objects for uniformity of colour,and the object is then washed.The jars with lids are good for storing pickles since the stone aids preservation.

The advantage of using kalchatty utensils,for storing and serving food

1. Kuzhipaniyaram chatty,a mould for preparing a Chettinad sweet dish.

2. Soapstone products:a mortar and pestle,storage jar with a lid and a container.

Tools

Uli-chisels

Thavuttu uli-to smoothen

Olai uli-to carve thin ridges

Yetra uli- to carve out holes

Kotla-to cut

Production Clusters

Namakkal district:

Namakkal

Products

Lamps

Kuzhipaniyaram chatty-mould for making a food dish

Sirpangal-idols

Incense stands

Candle stands

Paperweights

NAtchatra vilakku-

products is that they have a cooling effect on the contents,so the food products do not spoil easily.The kalchatty utensils are generally sold by itenerant traders and in local temple fairs and festivals.

star-shaped lamps

Kondai vilakku

Dosa

Toy-miniature household articles

Rolling pin

Jars with lids.