History of Karnataka Bronzeware
Numerous dynasties rose and fell while the craft of bronze casting flickered to life. The craft was refined over the years as it spread under the patronage of some of the most powerful empires of the south such as the Chalukyas, Rastrakutas, Hoysala and the Vijayanagara.
Under the religious fervour of kings such as Vishnuvardhan of the Hoysala kingdom, magnificent stone temples were erected, and each was adorned with exquisite bronze icons. Generations danced to the rhythm of fire and creation that made the Karnataka Bronze Wares. As the Cholas swept through parts of Karnataka, conquering the same, they left inscriptions on monuments talking about how bronzewares were both solid and hollow-cast. The tradition evolved, with the custom of gifting metal statues to temples gaining immense popularity during the Hoysala and Vijayanagara eras. It became a way for royalty and commoners alike to express their devotion, a bridge built from molten bronze between the worshiper and the worshipped.
With such evidences, the history of the Karnataka Bronze Ware can be easily traced back to at least the 6th century CE. For the past 200 years, the craft has been practiced through the generations!
The art of the Stapathies
The striking and detailed crafts of Karnataka Bronze Ware are crafted using the ‘lost wax’ technique. A secret passed down through generations, it is the magic at the heart of it all. Beeswax dream are sculpted by the Stapathies as per the dhyanshlokas – verses that guide them on proportions for deific figures. They are then sacrificed to molten bronze which is poured in to the mould. The wax melts, and the metal takes its place, solidifying in form as it cools. It's a dance of creation and destruction, a testament to the impermanence of form and the enduring power of the spirit.
Each bronze icon is a result of the labours of the Stapathies who craft with their deep understanding of the Shilpa Shastra (knowledge on the art of sculpting). Four main postures are thus crafted – the Samabanga is the figure without any bends, the Abanga refers to figures with a slight bend where the body rests on one leg, the Tribanga is one with more than one obvious bend (typically three), and the Atibanga is a greatly bent figure. Karnataka Bronze Ware mainly includes depictions of Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The craft is an insight into the artistic and spiritual heritage of the state.
