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Study the Feasibility and Potential of Solar Applications in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural India
Solar potential of the cluster In the Sidlaghatta silk twisting cluster of Chikkaballapura in Karnataka, ~960 microenterprise units are operating. With an installation of 960 units of 4 kWp grid-fed (individual) solar PV system, an aggregated solar potential of 3841 kWp can be realized in the cluster.
4.1.3 Shivarapatna Stone Idol- making Cluster Cluster profile Shivarapatna is a small artisanal village in Kolar district of Karnataka, which is situated around 60 km away from state capital Bengaluru. Patronized by the rulers of the ancient Western Ganga Dynasty, Shivarapatna became home to sculptors from various regions who settled down here, earning
the title Shilpakashi (the Kashi of sculptures) of Karnataka. The present-day craftsmen of the village are preserving and carrying forward the 1000-year-old traditional knowledge and skill imparted to them by their ancestors. Today around 1000 people from 200 families are engaged in stone idol making in the village. Intricately carved idols of gods and goddesses, pillars, and carved stone slabs for temples are the signature creations of the craftsmen of this cluster. The products receive uniform demand throughout the year. The artisans spend almost 25 days a month on a piece. Large and highly intricate pieces often require weeks, months, or even years to be prepared, while smaller pieces can be finished in a few days. The idols are supplied mostly to temples in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, among others. The Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation
FIGURE 5: Stone idols displayed at a workshop
