# Chhattisgarh Sculptor Dhaniram Sahu Carves Out Livelihood and Renown from Sandstone

> Kumhli village artisan Dhaniram Sahu has dedicated over 25 years to stone sculpting, creating religious idols that now draw buyers from across state borders.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Chhattisgarh · **Published:** 2026-11-02 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/chhattisgarh-ke-murtikara-dhaniram-sahu-ne-lala-pattharon-ko-tarashakara-banai-apani-alaga-pahachana-54942 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Dhaniram Sahu, Stone Carving, Kumhli, Chhattisgarh, Traditional Art, Sculpture, Bilaspur

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.

## What this means for you
Traditional stone carving sustains rural artisanal livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage through self-reliant craftsmanship.

- **For Art and Idol Buyers:** Handcrafted stone sculptures are accessible across budgets, starting from 900 rupees for compact pieces up to 65,000 rupees for large installations. Sourcing directly from rural artisans allows buyers to obtain authentic work while supporting traditional makers.
- **For Traditional Artisans:** This journey demonstrates that patience and refinement in manual crafts can eventually build cross-state demand. Upgrading skill levels enables local makers to capture wider commercial markets over time.
- **In Rural Economies:** Sourcing sandstone locally provides business linkages to nearby extraction and transport workers around Bilaspur. Encouraging cottage-level stone work supports ancillary livelihoods across rural belts.
- **In Cultural Heritage:** Amid waning youth interest in arduous handicrafts, this work highlights the viability of preserving stone sculpting. Younger individuals can see master craftsmanship as a viable pathway to sustainable self-employment.

## Why this happened
This recognition emerged from twenty-five years of dedicated manual practice, accessible regional raw materials, and the enduring demand for quality traditional sculptures.

- **Persistent Practice Over Decades:** Despite early technical shortcomings and soft initial demand, Dhaniram persevered in his craft since 1999. That quarter-century of focus finally translated into commercial success and surge in orders over the past six years.
- **Reliable Sourcing of Regional Stone:** The artisan consistently sourced quality red sandstone and rocks from villages surrounding Bilaspur. Utilizing dependable regional rock deposits ensured durable raw materials for intricate carving.
- **Steady Demand for Sacred Art:** Persistent interest from devotees and collectors for handmade depictions of deities provided a steady market. The quality of the finished idols gradually expanded his patron base into neighboring states.
- **Flexible Pricing Across Dimensions:** Offering sculptures ranging from 900 rupees to 65,000 rupees accommodated both modest buyers and large temple patrons. This tiered pricing model broadened his customer reach and sustained ongoing workshop operations.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who is Dhaniram Sahu and where does he live?
Dhaniram Sahu is a traditional stone sculptor based in Kumhli village, located in Chhattisgarh.

### 2. When did Dhaniram Sahu start learning stone sculpting?
He began training in the art of stone carving in 1999 and has continued the practice ever since.

### 3. Where does he procure raw stone for his sculptures?
He sources his red sandstone and raw rock materials from villages situated near Bilaspur.

### 4. What types of idols and figures does he carve?
He carves figures of Lord Hanuman, Shivling, and Goddess Durga, along with animal forms like lions and elephants.

### 5. What is the starting price for his stone sculptures?
A small one-foot sculpture starts at approximately 900 rupees.

### 6. How much do his two-foot and three-foot statues cost?
A two-foot statue sells for a minimum of 10,000 rupees, while a three-foot statue costs around 19,000 rupees.

### 7. What is the largest statue Dhaniram has crafted so far?
His largest creation to date is a five-and-a-half-foot statue, which he sold for 65,000 rupees.

### 8. What major challenge does Dhaniram see facing this craft?
He points out that the younger generation shows minimal interest in learning this labor-intensive art, making it hard to sustain.

## Inspiration & Lessons
Dhaniram Sahu's sculpting career proves that sustained patience and daily practice can turn humble beginnings into masterful artistry.

- **Perseverance Through Early Hurdles:** Despite lacking initial finesse and facing sparse customer interest, he refused to abandon his craft. Continuous effort allows raw beginnings to evolve into commercial mastery.
- **Value of Long-Term Dedication:** True craftsmanship cannot be rushed and requires decades of disciplined physical repetition. Spending over 25 years at the anvil enabled Dhaniram to build a reputation that now crosses borders.
- **Leveraging Local Resources:** By sourcing sandstone from nearby villages, he created a viable business using indigenous materials. Resourcefulness with accessible surroundings forms the foundation of sustainable enterprise.
- **Upholding Heritage Crafts:** Even as modern youth shy away from grueling manual work, he stayed committed to his chisels. Preserving cultural traditions through dedicated labor brings both identity and dignity.

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