Eminent sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo teaches stone carving to a school student at the sculpting workshop near Jayadev Vihar in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 18: Around 50 schoolchildren got an opportunity to learn stone carving from master sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo at a two-day workshop at his crafts museum near Jayadev Vihar.

Considered as one of the most precise and thrilling art forms, the beginners under the guidance of the expert trainer carved out figures of animals and flowers on soft stones.

The students learnt the techniques required for stone carving using a simple tool: the chisel.

Various aspects of stone carving such as roughing out the form with the chisel and giving finishing touch with the help of rasps was taught with care.

For the students, it was an opportunity to hone their skills along with garnering their aesthetic interests.

Prerana Meher, a Class VIII student of Mother’s Public School, took immense interest in sculpting. She said: “I have always been fascinated by the beautiful carvings on our ancient temples. I always wanted to try my hands at it and I got a first hand experience on shaping and cutting stones.”

Her classmate Tanya Mishra felt that the task was not easy. “I never knew that it would be so complicated. One also needs a lot of patience,” said Tanya.

A few hearing-impaired students from Bipin Bihari School for the Deaf also took part at the workshop that began on November 15.

The master sculptor said more children should get involved in sculpting to make up for the decreasing number of craftsmen in the state.

“There are only a handful of professional sculptors left. So, the younger generation should be encouraged into carving so that this ancient art continues to thrive,” said Sahoo.

Organised by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), Bhubaneswar chapter, the workshop aimed at motivating students into heritage crafts.

“There are hundreds of temples in our state where sculptors have portrayed their stone carving skills with utmost beauty. But the younger generation is not exposed to it, so steps need to be taken towards the same,” said the convener of Intach, H. Balakrishnan.

He added that such workshops would be organised frequently inviting students from various parts of the state.