Sculptures by Rabi Narayan Sahoo and Surya Narayan Sahoo in Tenali stone, Granite, Marble, Red Sandstone, Green Sandstone, White Sandstone.

JAMAAT continues with our commitment to promote master folk artists , and we are delighted to now show master sculptors of stone carvings. The stone carving tradition in India is one of the richest in the world and began in the 3rd century with the patronage of the Mauryas.

Different kinds of stones are widely found all over India , and they are therefore a popular material for architecture and sculpture . Most of the finest stone carvings are around religion and have followed themes from Hindusim , Budhism and Jainism . The Hindu temples of Ellora , Elephanta , Khajurao , Madurai and Mahaballipuram , the Sun temple in Konarak ; Budhist stupas of Sanchi and the Jain temples of Mt Abu are fine examples of spectacular stone carvings in India .

Different types of stone like granite , marble , sandstone , soapstone , etc are used . Large blocks of stone are quarried and taken to the arts center .The basic design is traced on the stone and it is given a crude shape . When the artist is ready to carve , he usually begins by knocking off large portions of the stone using a point chisel or a pitching tool . Most sculptors work rhythmically , turning the tool with each blow , so that the stone is removed quickly and evenly . This is the
"roughing out " stage of the process . Once the general shape of the carving is determined , the sculptor uses finer tools to refine the figure . Finally, the carving is polished using sandpaper and sandcloth .

The sculptors still follow the principle of the Shilpa Shastra [ the ancient Sanskrit text] for icon making . Master sculptors Rabi Narayan Sahoo and youger brother Surya Narayan Sahoo have mastered this art under the guidance of their father and guru , Sudarshan Sahoo . They have founded the Sudarshan Arts Village in Bhubaneshwar and Puri , Orissa , where they train about 50 young sculptors to become masters . this fine art in carving , is this kept alive by this dedicated family