Stone sculpture is one of the earliest forms of artistic expression. A sculpture is a three dimensional image that is crafted of various materials either by hand or by using tools.
The tradition of Indian sculpture is the oldest in the world, dating back to the Indus Valley civilization in which people made statues and figures of bronze and stone. Ever since then, Indian sculpture has refined and expanded in scope and established itself as one of the finest in the world. The sculptures in the Ellora caves are India's pride, as are the intricate sculptures that adorn India's temples. One has only to glance at the sculptures that adorn the temples of Khajuraho to recognize the talent of India's sculptors. The ancient tradition of sculpting is still preserved in all its glory, and at the same time, artisans have innovated and introduced new forms of sculpting, working with diverse materials and exploring myriad themes.
Themes of Indian Sculpture :
Indian craftsmen have always been fascinated by figures from mythology and religion. Sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, of other Hindu figures, of Buddha, and other religions have hence dominated their work. To the Indian craftsmen, nature provided an unending supply of materials from which to fashion household items like bamboo baskets, pottery, textiles, and jewelry and much more. It is in this setting of geographical diversity and abundance that the history of India begins. In addition, they have also carved beautiful statues and sculptures inspired by everyday life, as well as court life. India boasts of sculptures of animals, birds, and human figures. Indian artists also experiment with abstract sculpture and sculpture in other media. The stone statues needs minimum maintenance and lasts long. They can be washed under running water to restore their previous beauty.
Models and Tools :
While the stone is being selected, the sculptor may make a start on his intended composition by making a small-size clay or wax model, or a sketch on the stone itself or other media. The tools generally used are, a set of chisels including flat, pointed, round-ended, toothed, and splitting chisels; a mallet used to strike the chisel.
As well as this, the sculptor would use several different hammers - to strike the edge-tools like the chisels and also the stone itself. Modern sculptors also employ a pneumatic hammer, an angle-grinder with a diamond blade, and differing hand drills.
As well as this, the sculptor would use several different hammers - to strike the edge-tools like the chisels and also the stone itself. Modern sculptors also employ a pneumatic hammer, an angle-grinder with a diamond blade, and differing hand drills.
Carving and Polishing :
The carving itself begins with the chiseling away of large chunks of 
redundant rock, using the basic hammer and point work technique. Once a rough figure emerges, more precise markings are made with charcoal, pencil or crayon on the stone, and the sculptor employs specific tools (like a toothed chisel, claw chisel, rasps and rifflers) to reduce the rock further and create the figure. When the suculpture is complete, the final task is polishing, for which sandpaper, sand cloth and emery stone are used, in conjunction with tin and iron oxides to enhance the reflective quality of the surface. Stone Carving of Orissa The huge repertoire of stone carving is best revealed in the architecture and rock-cut sculptures of Lingraja, Jagannath, Mukteshwara and other temples of Orissa. Other noteworthy monuments include the temple chariot of the Sun God at Konark, stupas of Ratnagiri and Udaygiri, Surasundaris heavenly beauties playing on different musical instruments at Konark temple, the Konark wheel, horse, elephant, lion. Other motifs include Krishna and Radha, Laxmi, Vishnu, Durga, Buddha and Ganesha. Conemporary artisans have made many a decorative and utility articles like ashtrays, paperweights, candle stands and book rests. The other set of products include stoneware utensils and kitchenwares. India has a vast resource of different types of stones and the artisans of Orissa are equally at home while working with any of them. Only a few simple tools like hammers and chisels of various shapes and sizes better known as 'Muna', 'Patili', 'Martual', 'Thuk-Thuki' and 'Nihana' in local parlance are enough to carve the ultra soft white soapstone, or Khadipathara, harder greenish chlorite or Kochilapathara and pinkish “Khandolite” or Sahanapathara or Baulapathara and the hardest of all black granite or Mugunipathara.Stone carving in Orissa as a traditional craft and has been practiced for centuries and had reached dizzy heights of excellence due to disciplined efforts of generations.
redundant rock, using the basic hammer and point work technique. Once a rough figure emerges, more precise markings are made with charcoal, pencil or crayon on the stone, and the sculptor employs specific tools (like a toothed chisel, claw chisel, rasps and rifflers) to reduce the rock further and create the figure. When the suculpture is complete, the final task is polishing, for which sandpaper, sand cloth and emery stone are used, in conjunction with tin and iron oxides to enhance the reflective quality of the surface. Stone Carving of Orissa The huge repertoire of stone carving is best revealed in the architecture and rock-cut sculptures of Lingraja, Jagannath, Mukteshwara and other temples of Orissa. Other noteworthy monuments include the temple chariot of the Sun God at Konark, stupas of Ratnagiri and Udaygiri, Surasundaris heavenly beauties playing on different musical instruments at Konark temple, the Konark wheel, horse, elephant, lion. Other motifs include Krishna and Radha, Laxmi, Vishnu, Durga, Buddha and Ganesha. Conemporary artisans have made many a decorative and utility articles like ashtrays, paperweights, candle stands and book rests. The other set of products include stoneware utensils and kitchenwares. India has a vast resource of different types of stones and the artisans of Orissa are equally at home while working with any of them. Only a few simple tools like hammers and chisels of various shapes and sizes better known as 'Muna', 'Patili', 'Martual', 'Thuk-Thuki' and 'Nihana' in local parlance are enough to carve the ultra soft white soapstone, or Khadipathara, harder greenish chlorite or Kochilapathara and pinkish “Khandolite” or Sahanapathara or Baulapathara and the hardest of all black granite or Mugunipathara.Stone carving in Orissa as a traditional craft and has been practiced for centuries and had reached dizzy heights of excellence due to disciplined efforts of generations.
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