Indian Traditions of Visual Arts (Drik Kala): Sculpture Art - Folk Styles of Sculptural Art

Folk Styles of Sculptural Art

1. Ganesha idols: 

• Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja started the celebrations as a way to promote culture and nationalism.
• The public celebration was initiated by Lokmanya Tilak in Pune in the year 1893.
• These idols come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate the worshippers' needs.
• They are constructed of Shadu clay, brass, silver, gold, and Plaster of Paris (PoP). 
• The Pen is a small town in Maharashtra's Raigad district that is famous for making Ganesha idols and has a history dating back over 100 years.
• Plaster of Paris was gradually introduced, and the real boom occurred in the 1970s, with the opening of Thane Creek and improved transportation.
• Nowadays people become more environmentally conscious so they choose organic soil/mud and natural colors.
  

  Ganesha Idol

2. Masks of Gauri:

• Parvati is the mother of Lord Ganesha and she is worshipped during the Ganesh Chaturthi or the festival of Ganesha in several parts of India. She is associated with fertility and prosperity, and women offer her worship for the longevity of their husbands.
• Gauri Mask is constructed of Shadu clay, brass, silver, gold, and Plaster of Paris (PoP). 
  

  The face of Gauri is depicted on this brass mask. The ear decorations and headwear are in the Marathi tradition. Her beautiful lips and almond-shaped eyes display strong feminine traits.

  Plaster of Paris Gauri Mask

3. Bail Pola: 

4. Veergals: 

• Veergal or Veergala is a memorial stone of a brave warrior who died in battle.
• Word is derived from “Veerkallu’ a word in the Kannada language. Kallu means stone so Veerkallu means Warrior’s stone or Hero stone.
• It is known as Palia in North Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
• The stones depicted not only warriors who died in battle, but also women who bravely gave up their lives by immolating themselves in the fire, fearing capture and brutalization by the enemy. These are known as Sati Stones, and they can be found all over India. 
• These were erected between the 5th and 13th centuries AD under the Yadava and Shilahara dynasties and they splattered all across India.
  

  Veergal - Mahadev Temple, Margaon, Satara

  Borivali, Mumbai