1 August 2022 /
THE TUNE OF CHISELS ON STONE /
SHILPOTSAV 2022-23 – A series of Sculpture Symposiums /
Ambaji, a small town in Gujarat will witness a series of unique Stone Sculpture Symposiums under the aegis of Shilpotsav. After the successful completion of the first symposium titled Shilpankur, the second sculpture symposium tilted Shilpakriti commenced on 20 July at SAPTI-Ambaji and will conclude on 8 August 2022.
Stone Artisan Park Training Institute (SAPTI) conducts the Stone Sculpture Symposiums intending to project and harness the age-old Indian stone sculpting tradition. During the symposiums, interactions and discussions with the public would lead to an increased understanding of the great Indian medium of stone in its various forms. The thematic approach of the stone sculptures is envisioned to adorn various outdoor sites and will connect the masses with the cultural and historical context of Ambaji and our spiritual country as a whole.
“Shilpankur Sculpture Symposium is the first step towards emphasizing Ambaji as a center of Stone Sculpture and Art while establishing SAPTI as an institute of Stone Art and Craft. As an educational institution, it became important that the first symposiums should be conducted for the youngest generation of sculptors. After a diligent process, a total of 17 students and upcoming sculptors from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, and 2 Senior Sculptors hailing from Kerala and Punjab were invited to create sculptures in white marble and sandstone,” said Nitin Dutt, the Curator of the Shilpotsav Symposiums and Principal & Centre Director, Stone Artisan Park Training Institute (SAPTI) at Ambaji.
The 1st National Sculpture Symposium- Shilpankur was conducted in June 2022. The 20-day event has been very inspiring as the participants enjoyed a stimulating environment to create and nurture timeless works of art. The 2nd National Sculpture Symposium – Shilpakriti is bound to produce impressive stone sculptures and promotes interaction with the Sculptors carving the stone in public. Practicing sculptors of senior stature from Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been invited to participate in Shilpakriti.
The thematic approach of the symposiums includes indigenous as well as historical aspects such as ‘Spirituality, Yoga Asanas, Pancha Tatva/Panch Maha Boota, 64 Shilpa from Shilpa Shastra, 16 Sanskaar, Nav Rasa and the historical context of Ambaji.’
SAPTI was established by the Industries & Mines Department and the Office of Commissioner of Geology & Mining, Government of Gujarat in 2009 for harnessing the tremendous potential of the state’s stone industry and to carry forward its valuable heritage of stone art and architecture. SAPTI Ambaji in the north region of Gujarat focuses on marble while SAPTI- Dhrangadhra in the Saurashtra region focuses on sandstone. Vocational training in the design and production of unique stone artifacts for interior and exterior is conducted at these training institutes.
These campuses are rooted in history with a vision to strengthen the stone craft traditions among the less privileged and other craftsmen through the integration of sculpting tradition and design with today’s technology and industry.
Shilpankur Participants
Amulya Kumar, Arjun Gamit, Avani Patel, Divyang Patel, Gaurav Rajbhar, Neel Gajjar, Ravi Kumar, Sandeep, Shakeel Ahmad, Shubham Kumar, Abhishek Salve, Ankit Sonaya, Arvind Mangal, Krunal Kansara, Sunil Rana, Ajesh Kumar, Tapish Soni and Ramandeep Singh.
Shilpakriti Participants
Shiv Verma, Jeetander Ojha, Sangam Vankhade, Nemaram, Prem Kumar David, Harpal, Neeraj Ahirwar, Vishal Bhatnagar, Jaswinder Singh, Venugopal Prashar, Kosal Kumar, B. Rohini Reddy, Shantanu Shastry, Shiva Subramanya, Amresh Kumar, Dharmendra, S Shiva Kumar and Ramesh Chandra.
