From Stone to Art: The Intricate Craftsmanship of Agra’s Marble and Stone Artisans with Asha Handicrafts
The city of Agra is the home to many skilled marble and stone artisans. Stone carving artisans of Agra create intricately carved items. These are mostly in the form of small products that visitors and tourists can carry back with them.
SELECTION OF THE STONE
The borders of the town is where the stone cutting process is done. Huge blocks of stone are cut into manageable sizes after which the craftsman works on it to get the desired shape keeping the end product in mind. The shaped and cut stones are then sent to production units to be carved into artistic handicrafts.
DESIGNING & SCULPTING
The designs are traced on stones manually and engraved with basic hand operated tools i.e. hammers and chisels of various sizes. It is a strenuous exercise since most of the work completed is with highly skilled hands. Delicate and intricate inlay design is sculpted that requires keen focus and precision with long hours of manual labour. Designs created is by cutting the stone and varying fine patterns on it. In fact, stonecutters and sculptors work hand in hand. The base material of work is marble, gorara soapstone and occasionally cuddapah.
POLISHING
The master artisan sculpts the stone surfaces with the help of a rotating wheel to polish and even the rough edges. This is done with acute precision bring the stone to the perfect shape.
CREATING MASTERPIECES
Every artisan specialises in one aspect of the craft that finally results in exquisite masterpieces. The hand carved stones are made into a variety of unique utility and artistic products. The painstaking process can take months as the artisan patiently highlights fine details of the designs.
Asha Handicrafts Association works with hundreds of skilled crafts men creating souvenirs, boxes, coasters, trays, tea light holders, paper weights, soap dishes, mortar pestle, small decorative articles, book ends, chopping boards and oil burners. It is an amazing journey to see the hands of an ordinary artisan, bring life to a rough piece of stone.