granite carving

Granite carving is mainly centred in Chengannur. The granite workers manufacture a variety of articles like idols, household equipments, pillars, survey stones etc. The raw material required for granite carving is obtained from Chengannur. Granite carving had achieved a high degree of excellence in Kerala very early in history. The polishing is done with sealing wax and steel powder which are melted and moistened. The special variety of stone used for image-making is known as Krishna-shila which is accessible at only one place, Trithala near Pattambi. Today, granite carving is confined to the areas around Mamallapuram and Chingleput. The sculptors here belong to the Vishwakarma or Kammaalar community. The Padmanabhaswami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is a stockroom of Granite carved sculptures. Stone sculpture belonging to the historic period dates back to the early part of this century and includes some extraordinary dancing figures.