THESIS - STONE CARVINGS

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

1. Boiling water and chemical: These are used to treat the stone as it whitens outer texture of granite stone.

2. Chisels: Wide edged and point edged chisels- ‘Uli’ are used to carve the stone.

3. Hammer: It is used for hammering.

4. Sand paper: It is used to polish the surface of the stone.

5. Red oxide solution: The stencils are drawn on the surface of the stone using red oxide solution, before carving.

6. Palamunai uli: Chisel used to level the surface of the stone.

7. Water: Water is sprinkled continuously to avoid heat generation.

8. Oil: It is applied to the stone as it gives characteristic black color and smoother surface.

9. Cutting Machine: Different types of automated cutting machines are used to cut the bigger stone blocks.

10. Scales: These are used for measurement.

The big block of stone is first cut evenly Stone is marked as per the required measurements The design is being marked on the flat surface of granite stone

Marked design is highlighted with red oxide Artisan initiated the carving as per the marked A detail of hand is being carved with Solution design power tool

The outer surface is smoothened after rough Depth is obtained by minute and detailed Few other embellishments are made carving carving by chiseling

PROCESS

The artisan first decides the required design to be carved from the stone. The block of the stone is first cut into appropriate size. A stone of desired shape is taken and leveled with a chisel called ‘Palamunai uli’ locally. Then the dimensions of the figure are marked with red oxide solution on the slab. The unwanted edges are removed by chiseling with chisel and hammer. Rough carving is made based on the rough sketches on the surface of the stone. The major carvings are done using the chisel and hammer to attain the desired figure. Water is sprinkled frequently to avoid heat generation during carving process. After rough carving, the detailing and minor carvings are made using sharp edged and pointed chisels. The ornamentation and the detailing design are done by scrapping the stone with pointed chisels. Once the product is ready, the surface of the stone is polished by rubbing it with sandpaper. The carved stone is then treated with water and chemical. This is done to smoothen and whiten the stone. Sometimes oil is also applied to obtain the typical dark color for selected products according to the requirement