Chiseling stubborn stone into detailed statues requires both physical endurance and sharp aesthetic skill. In Chhattisgarh, sculptor Dhaniram Sahu of Kumhli village has turned this labor-intensive traditional craft into a thriving livelihood. Through decades of persistent dedication, he transforms coarse stones into expressive idols. The craftsmanship coming out of his workshop has gained substantial traction, expanding beyond his home state into several other regions where buyers regularly place orders.
A Crafting Journey Begun in 1999
Dhaniram Sahu first took up the craft of stone carving in 1999. During the initial period, mastering the chisel was tough, and his early creations suffered from a lack of technical refinement alongside minimal local demand. Instead of quitting, he committed himself to daily practice, gradually sharpening his technique. His persistent work eventually paid off, with his pieces earning widespread appreciation over the past six years as customer demand climbed significantly after more than 25 years in the trade.
Sourcing Sandstone and Sculpting Figures
The sculptor predominantly relies on red sandstone and hard mineral rocks to craft his pieces. He procures these materials directly from villages located in the vicinity of Bilaspur. Once the raw rocks arrive at his workshop, he uses basic chisels to sculpt statues of Hindu deities including Lord Hanuman, Shivling, and Goddess Durga. He also chisels animal figures such as lions and elephants, turning ordinary rocks into fine decorative and religious works.
Pricing Structure Across Different Dimensions
The sculptures produced by Dhaniram are categorized by height, detailing, and effort. Smaller pieces measuring around one foot start at approximately 900 rupees. A two-foot sculpture commands a minimum price of 10,000 rupees, while three-foot figures sell for about 19,000 rupees. His largest project to date has been a five-and-a-half-foot statue, which he successfully sold for 65,000 rupees.
Physical Rigor and Lack of Youth Participation
Stone sculpture remains an physically exhausting profession, requiring day-and-night dedication to carve intricate details into unforgiving rock surfaces. The process carries constant challenges and takes considerable time to execute properly. Dhaniram observes that younger generations currently show little enthusiasm for picking up this traditional manual art form. Passing down the specialized skill to future artisans remains a formidable challenge, though he continues his pursuit of giving new life to local stone.
