Kinnaur wooden artistes seek govt. support

Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh), Aug.31 (ANI): While visiting temples in Himachal's Kinnaur district one comes across various pieces of wooden art.

This art has been a speciality of the region and has been practiced for generations.

Fearing extinction of this art form, a group of traditional wood carvers have sought government support.

"One can see ancient art and craft in all the temples in Kinnaur. But nowadays only a few artisans are left to do the traditional wood craft. Some artisans stop doing their work because of the use of latest machinery. They fear that traditional woodwork may die," said Parvinder Negi, a woodwork artisan.

Major places in Himachal Pradesh known for wooden crafts are Chamba, Kalpa, Tisa, Kinnaur and Kullu.

The state's Department of Language and Culture is responsible for the preservation of the art of woodcraft.

"The local artisans do the traditional woodcraft in that region. When the temples are being conserved and restoration is being done, we give special instructions that all the archeological sites which are almost 100 years old, if they have to be restored, then the ancient traditional craft should look the same. If it has to be replaced, the same art should be used," noted Prem Sharma, Director of the state Department of Language and Culture.

The woods used are those of pine, cedar, walnut, horse chestnut and wild black mulberry.

Wooden craft can be noticed in traditional village homes with carved doors, picturesque windows, crafted ceilings and balconies. By Prem Thakur (ANI)