SANDALAWOOD CRAFT

SANDALAWOOD CRAFT

Sandalwood is one among the precious indigenous natural products of Karnataka. A major part of the sandalwood produced in India accrues from the forests of coastal Karnataka and Malnad. (Hilly region) It requires great skill to produce works of art from sandal wood. This craft is known as ‘guDigArike’ (ಗುಡಿಗಾರಿಕೆ) in Kannada. Gudigars (ಗುಡಿಗಾರರು) is the name given to the community of craftsmen who migrated to Karnataka from Goa in search of job opportunities. Most of them have settled down in North Canara and Shivamogga districts. Particularly, sAgara and soraba talluks of shivamogga districts and sirsi, siddApura, kumaTA and honnavara talluks of North Canara districts have harboured these artists for centuries. There are many guDigars in Mysore city also. A particular sub-sect of guDigArs called sheTTis has konkaNi as their mother tongue. Others speak Kannada. Both men and women participate in this activity with different areas of specialisation. Sandal wood oil is extracted from the roots and trunk of the tree. The wood is refined and then used to make a variety of products. Chariots and idols are quite big and prohibitively costly. However, many knick knacks such as paper cutters, jewel boxes, trays, combs, photo frames, walking sticks and elephants are made aplenty. This craft lays a lot of emphasis on very intricate carvings. The combinations of ivory and sandal wood is cherished. Idols, artifacts and ivory inlay work in settings of sandal wood are very attractive.

Sandal wood, ivory, wax polish and paper are the raw material required by these craftsmen. Their tools constitute, saws, chisels and planes of various shapes and sizes are used. Nails, screws and hinges are used in generous quantities. There are different stages in the preparation of these artifacts. A crude form is gradually refined to obtain the final product.

The themes selected by traditional artists are usually religious and the motifs are selected from mythology and epics. However this has changed over the years and we do find many secular themes and a number of articles that are functional and utilitarian. Of course the ubiquitous fragrance makes these products much more precious. The icons of Balakrishna and the depiction of Geetopadesha are very popular.

Sandalwood craft has enriched the cultural tradition of Karnataka over the centuries.