Approach:

Introduce with a brief on evolution

Discuss with examples under subheadings like metal carving etc.

Conclude appropriately

Answer:

The history of metal, terracotta and stone carving in India can be traced back to the Indus valley
civilization. It has evolved since then. India artists experimented with various materials, forms
and icons; evolved multiple and regional stylistic conventions and also succeeded in balancing
sensual with spiritual, evolving into an art-form which is both serene and vividly expressive.

Metal carving:

1. ‘Lost-wax’ technique for metal casting was known 5000 year ago. Harappan dancing girl
is the earliest available bronze sculpture made using this process. Dhokra art, brass work
done by Malhore castes of Jharkhand and Ojha community of Orissa presently use the
same technique even today. Metal-casting process was also used for making utensils like
modern period.
2. Bronze sculptures and statuettes of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain icon are discovered which
were required for ritual worship. For example, Buddha image at Sultanganj which is
gigantic copper statue now kept at Birmingham museum.
3. Gupta and Vakataka bronzes images are quite famous too. In Nalanda, a school of
bronze-casting emerged during rule of pala Dynasty. These images were characterized by
distinctive facial features, body forms and treatment of clothing and jewellery. Chola
bronze images are finest of all and most sought after by art lovers all over the world. eg
dancing figure of Shiva as Nataraja.
4. The craftspersons of Bidar were so famed for their work in copper and silver that it came
to be called Bidri (Bidriware).

Terracotta:

1. Terracotta sculpture of Indus valley civilization were hand made using pinching methods.
For example-mother goddess, toy carts. Now advanced techniques are used. Also
presently pottery is associated with kumhar caste. Teracotta utensils, Terracotta diyas,
Teracotta jewellery etc are also quite popular since early period to even today.

Stone carving:

1. The earliest known works of representational art are stone carvings. Carving stone into
sculpture is an activity older than civilization itself. Prehistoric sculptures were usually
 human forms.
2. Stone figures of Male torso from Harappa and Bearded priest from Mohenjodaro are
quite famous. Mauryan stone pillars are quite popular like Ashokan pillar, Sarnath pillar
with their beautiful capitals.
3. The classical tradition of stone carving was closely linked with architecture. All major
temples of India-be it Puri, Konark, Khajuraho, Kailash Temple illustrate the rich
tradition of Indian stone carvings. Stone carving of sculpture on Stupa evolved during
Ashoka period. Eg yaksh, yakshni sculpture. With Gandhara art, stone carving attained
greater heights and the techniques continue to evolve till today.
4. Sculptures can be carved via either the direct or the indirect carving method. Indirect
carving is a way of carving by using an accurate clay, wax or plaster model, which is then
copied with the use of instruments like a compass. The direct carving method is a way of
carving in a more intuitive way, without first making an elaborate model. The
development of iron made possible stone carving tools, such as chisels, drills and saws
made from steel. Modern, industrial, large quantity techniques still rely heavily on
abrasion to cut and remove stone, although at a significantly faster rate with processes
such as water erosion and diamond saw cutting.

Indian sculptors have mastered the art of metal, terracotta and stone carving starting from
pre-vedic times to modern day.