Carving out a niche

The unpretentious tin hut located on the outskirts of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada district doesnt give a hint of the exquisite craft being created inside. A series of intricate wooden sculptures are lined up inside contrasting the modest exteriors. One can see works of art at different stages of making while the artisans are busy giving shape to their imagination.

Welcome to Bikku Gudigar Kalakendra established by the Bikku Gudigars, known for their wood carving legacy. This family of Gudigar community has taken the fame of the traditional art of wood carving to a new level by becoming the preferred carvers for initiatives at national and international levels. In recent times, this workshops popularity reached its peak when it got an international carving assignment.

True to their distinction as temple artisans, the family members have made wooden sculptures to many of the structures of religious and spiritual importance across the country.

Rich legacy

The art of wood carving, which is rooted in Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts, has a rich legacy. The thick forest that covers a major part of Uttara Kannada district led to the establishment of wood based industries in …read more