The lingering art of rock sculpting in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is home to some of the oldest sculpted monuments in India, which are now UNESCO world heritage sites. The Pallava King Narasimhavarman I was the founder of this city in the 7th century. It was during his reign that the art of rock sculpting flourished and many monuments like the Pancha Rathas were built. Sundar R is a 50-year-old owner of Om Vinayaka sculpting shop in Mahabalipuram. He has 28 years of experience in rock sculpting and wood carvings. His artwork of temple shrines and idols is sought after by people from various cities like Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kanchipuram. He failed his 8th grade and dropped out of school to pursue and acquire sculpting skills, the art he immensely admired. According to Sundar, “Sculpting was initially considered a privileged art practiced only by the higher caste in the society such as the Acharyas under the Pallavas rule. However, the Acharyas became nonchalant about the art of rock-cut architecture and sculpting in time and began recruiting apprentices from the lower castes like the Pulayas. Those apprentices multiplied and passed on the art to everyone around them. This is how sculpting became a popular art form in Mahabalipuram ever since”.  The ancient art of sculpting persists until today with modern advancements and technology yet with the same intensity of passion towards the art.