KALA SANGAM: DECEMBER 2019

Wood Carving with P Sengottuvel
8 – 15 December 2019

About the Craft

Wood carving is an important part of the heritage of Tamil Nadu, and other parts of south India. Intricately carved doors, door lintels, pillars, bedsteads, jewellery boxes and kitchen implements were part of household furniture, as well as the architecture of temples and important buildings. Usually carved from a single piece of wood, these labour-intensive artworks incorporated themes from mythology, flora, fauna, geometrical patterns and mythical creatures.

About the Craftsperson

Hailing from the village of Thammampatti, in Tamil Nadu, P Sengottuvel is one of the few artisans keeping the art of traditional wood carving alive in south India. Despite holding a college degree, he chose to carry on this tradition of his forefathers. He was taught the craft by his father, who was awarded the Living Treasure (award) by the state of Tamil Nadu in 2018. Mr Sengottuvel is the recipient of various crafts awards by the state of Tamil Nadu as well as at the national level in India. His work was recently exhibited in Kuala Lumpur.