Varanasi Soft Stone Jali Work

“Varanasi Soft Stone Jali Work” is an ancient craft from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Its unique quality is creating designs from the natural veins of the stone, made without any joints, through intricate Jali work. Varanasi soft stone work is not restricted to only ornate carvings on temples or sculptures of deities, but also used in making items like carved panels, tiles, paperweights, pen stands, marble boxes, wall plates, table tops and coasters. The rich tradition of the artisans of Varanasi engaged in soft stone jali craft has been carried forward though generations to the present day using the simplest of tools coupled with expertise, patience and perseverance. The base material of stone craft in Varanasi is soapstone and occasionally marble and gorara. In some places the craftsmen still use chisel and hammer to create curved patterns and designs followed by grinding and polishing.