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Phone: 0435 - 2417525, Cell: +91 9443070477
33,Vellalar St, Darasuram - 612702
Kumbakonam T.K Tanjore District, Tamilnadu.
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11-Oct-2024 09:36:54 PM
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WELCOME TO SRI RAJA SILPALAYA

One of the most recognised artwork in the world; the Chola bronze statue involves demanding handwork. Originally considered as temple art,it is handled by artisans with extraordinary care and devotion. The Shilpa Shastra is still referred as the basic guide to achieve perfect anatomical proportions for the sculptures. In India,the traditional artisans are concentrated in and around the Kumbakonam,district Tamil Nadu. Astoundingly they still employ the same lost wax process used in the Chola period.

Mr.Ln.Rajagopal is one mastercraftsmen from the traditional viswakarma community. His vast experience in bronze sheet works and temple needs manufacturing helps him run the production unit “sri raja silpalaya” Our specialties are exquisite sheet metal works any size any shape and complicate details. We do sheet covering for engraved, embossed,with high relief work. We undertake sheet works in gold,silver and bronze to gopurams,rathams,kodimaram,doors,vagnam and even temple roofings.

We have displayed our gallery right from icons, ornamental lamps,sheet works and stone works. We thank all our clients and well wishers who made us renouned temple need manufacturer in kumbakonam. We have opened new showroom near darasuram temple near our factory

New Arrivals
Brass Rishba Vaganam
THE LOST WAX METHOD

The craftsman here still follow the ancient method called "the lost wax method" in making the bronze icons. This method involves different stages in producing the icons. First a wax model of the icon is made and then covered clay mould coated with rich alluvial soil available from the river Cauvery. Later the mould is heated to melt the wax creating a hollow space,where the red hot metal is poured in the empty space to iconic shape,then the metal is cooled and the icon is shaped,chisled,engraved and polished giving a exquisite icon or idol. Even after centuries the sthapathis here follow the traditional silpasastras which gives the bronze icons a world recognition.

•  MAKING OF WAX MODLE

Mixture of paraffin wax and Rasin metal with groundnut dil is called wax.1.e.,Mezhugu. This wax i.e.,mezhugu when exposed to fire becomes very flexible. Our of this flexible material,the "sthapathi"now proceeds to work out the wax model observing the fundamental principles laid down to fix the length of the moorthy. The total length is divided into 120 parts, out of which the length of the face, torso, limbs, legs etc.,are fixed as per "SHILPASASTRAS" details of like ornaments are modeled on the outline of the wax modle itself.

•  CLAY MOULD

The entire surface of the wax model is coverd with is found available on the river bed. The moisture of the alluvial soil around the mould is the allowed to dry by keeping it in the hot sun. Then 2nd and 3rd coating is also applied till a fine even layer on the surface of the wax model is achieved. To avoid breakage and to strengthen the mould, steel wire is would around the entire piece. This is called clay mould. The day mould's moisture dried and heated. When heated the wax inside the mould gets melt and drained out through the runner provided of the bottom of the mould. The mould without wax insides is called "KARUVU" in Tamil.

•  WAX MELTING
  • 1 hour for 12+24 inched wax mould.
  • 2.5 hours for 36 inches wax mould.
  • 4 hours for 48 inches wax mould.
  • 8 hours for 60 inches wax mould.
  • 10 nours for 72 inches wax mould.
•  CASTING AND FINISHING

Required quantity of metal i.e. Copper, Brass & lead in the ratio of 84%, 14% & 2% respectively is collected in a crucible and heated into liquid form.

Metal Melt time duration:
• 45 Kgs of metal - 3 hours to melt
• 60 kgs of metal - 4 hours to melt
• 120 kgs of metal – 5 hours melt
• 750 kgs of metal – 6 hours to melt

Simultaneously the Karu (Mould) is also heated. The mould becomes red hot. It is then buried in the ground upto the mouth of the mould, ti get firm upright position. The hot liquid metal is poured. The hot liquid metal is poured in to it.

•  FINISHING THE BRONZE

Finishing the bronze
The hot liquid metal is poured in to it. The mould is allowed to cool gradually. Then the wire bindings and iron rods are removed. The mould is broken open. Now rough metal is odtained. Then it is chiseled, filed and engraved to get fine ornamental appearance.

• Fuel for dewaxing: cowdung cakes;
• Fuel for metal melting: charcoal, cool;
• Cutting, Fitting & Polishing takes several weeks;
• Face finishing is done only by Master Sthapathy (Head Artison)