Kallakurichi Wood Carving

The ‘Kallakurichi wood carving’ is a unique form of wood carving where the craftsmen are specialized in carving temple related products and furniture. This entails the application of ornamentation and designs derived from traditional styles. The artisans use mainly locally available woods, which include country wood, Vaagai wood, Maavulinga, Atthi, Illupai and mango tree’s wood, rosewood and teak. The tools used are simple and the entire process is handmade which reflect the skills of the artisans. This wood carving is mainly practised in the taluks of Kallakurichi Chinnasalem, and Tirukovilur in the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu. The craftsmen strictly follow the Shilpa shastra treatise in making the idols of gods, ratham, puja madapam and mythical figurines for centuries.