 CRAFT OBJECTS
PROCESS OF
BY SHIKHAR BHARDWAJ
CRAFT OBJECTS 01 02 03
TAARKASHI SARASWATHI VEENA CARVING TRADITIONAL BLOCK MAKINGÂ
TAARKASHI-JAIPUR Jaipur is considered to be the storehouse of various arts and crafts, especially the metal crafts.
Taarkashi; is the technique where thin strips of wire are engraved on the surface of wood.
The design pattern is marked on the wooden plank either by blocks, or by drawing it by hands
Thin grooves are made using different shapes of chisels
The metal wire is inlayed into the grooves with the help of gentle hammering
Once the inlaying is done, wooden block is rubbed with sand stone to make the surface even
The product is then applied with wax to give shine
The final product in Taarkashi
SARASWATHI VEENA CARVING Traditional and Classical Musical Instrument
Saraswathi veena is the instrument associated with Saraswathi, the goddess of learning and the arts. This instrument is common in south India and is an important instrument in Carnatic sangeet. The traditional art is carried alive from ancient times to new generation. According to Hindu Mythology Gods and goddesses play various instruments particularly veena is played by goddesses Saraswathi. Instruments are made from wood of Jackfruit tree. The skilled art of veena making is made on the single block of wood. Several stages are involved in making of Veena. The instruments are made and sold worldwide according to the customers demand. Veena is played in the famous temples of Thanjavur and on other auspicious occasions alongside the use of other Musical instruments.
Jack wood is cut into basic shape of veena.
Measurements are marked for the exact shape of the veena to be carved.
The resonator is carved and the wood is scooped out to make it hollow.
Parts of veena are filed to remove the rough edges.
The wood surface is smoothened by scraping.
Rough sketch of the design to be carved is traced on the veena.
Artisan adds detail to the rough sketch.
The design is carved using chisel and wooden mallet.
Measurements are taken to fix the wooden stick on the veena neck, which acts as a step for the brass metal frets.
Pegs and knobs are fixed to the veena’s neck.
Carving and fixing of veena parts are complete.
BLOCK MAKING PETHAPUR Technique to Create Designs on Fabrics
Block making and block printing are the oldest technique to create designs or patterns on fabrics manually. A block printing is a mirror image of the block hence the block is carved as a mirror image. Sagwaan wood locally known as Saag or Sagi is considered as the best for the block making because it is easily available locally and found abundantly in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The Pethapur block makers believes that many centuries ago, women got bored with the white plain clothes and they started to create their garments designs by dipping bangles in colour. The carpenters observed and decided to offer women with several designs and then they started hand block printing on fabric.
1. Initially the seasoned wooden block is painted with white colour. 2. Painted wooden block is measured with scale and marked to get ready.
3. Essential design or patterns drawn on paper and fixed on the block.
5. Drilling out the large unwanted portion by using bow driller
4. Design is traced by striking the chisel and coloured to complete the process. 6. Drilled wooden block is carved by following the traced design.
7. Detailing is done carefully with customized chisels.
8. Finely carved traditional wooden block is ready.
Tracing and Drilling
Carving with chisel
Final Block, ready to print.
8. Finely carved traditional wooden block is ready.
A MAN WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS IS A LABORER; A MAN WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS AND HIS BRAIN IS A CRAFTSMAN; BUT A MAN WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS AND HIS BRAIN AND HIS HEART IS AN ARTIST. LOUIS NIZER (1902–1994)
THANK YOU BY THOMAS WILSON