Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool   

Carving a niche in modern art

Staff Reporter

`Temple architecture dwindling, sculptors must keep up with times'

FOR THE PARK: A made-to-order fibre globe ready for installation.

KURNOOL : When everything vanishes from the world, only stones and stone artefacts remain. The rulers of Chalukyas of Badami, Vijayanagara empire and Pallavas are remembered for their patronage to sculpture. Of all their material possessions, only their sculpture survived. Sculpture is mainly associated with temples and religious structures. As the demand for temple architecture is dwindling, sculptors are diversifying into carving modern artefacts to adorn the houses of the rich.

B. Chandrasekhara Achari, a sculptor at Kallur here, says a majority of the items he sells are modern stone items for installation in lawns and houses. "My family was into sculpture for three generations, mainly religious architecture," says Mr. Achari. His younger brother, who pursued a modern course in fine arts, helped the family diversify into modern art.

According to Mr. Achari, modern stone art has great future with middle class is likely to extend patronage to the art.

The items fit for adorning the lawns and landscape are moving fast. Kurnool and Cuddapah districts, which have large deposits of variety of stones, are likely to provide the raw materials for the industry. Thin pillars, theme figures, tabletops, water collection bowls for birds and water fountains are some of the modern items made of stones.

Mr. Achari got a fibre globe made on order by the Municipal Corporation for installation in the children's park. The globe costs Rs. 80,000.

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