Jaisalmer Stone

Transforming natural rock into handcrafted homes and products

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-01-31)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A city built in sandstone

Jaisalmer, in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India, is known as the golden city after its yellow sandstone architecture. The abundance of this local stone makes it the natural choice of material for construction and also finer hand crafts.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-01)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The city has a rich legacy of ornately carved stone architecture, which acts as a source of inspiration for the craftspersons of today. Much of the newer construction carries forward the traditional design language. Chhatris (carved cupolas), stone fretwork, geometric and floral carvings – are all employed in new homes and hotels. 

Jaisalmer Stone: Stone mining process (2018-02-01)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Procuring & preparing the sandstone

The famous yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer is found in areas surrounding the city. It comes from mines like Jethwai, Cipla and Moolsagar. Heavy machinery is required to extract and break the rock. Large blocks of it are trucked to factories in the industrial area of town, where they are further cut into smaller pieces. 

Jaisalmer Stone: Stone mining process (2018-02-01)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Iron wedges are hammered into the rock to facilitate its cutting.

Jaisalmer Stone: Stone mining process (2018-02-01)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The blocks are loaded into trolleys and transported to factories where they are further cut into slabs and smaller blocks.

While small blocks are used like bricks for construction, architectural elements like pillars and doorways are carved using basic hand tools and simple electric machines.

Jaisalmer Stone: Stone cutting process (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

View of the stone cutting factory.

Ali Khan attaches an iron chain on a block to lift it. With the help of a remote control, he places it under the cutting blade.

Jaisalmer Stone: Stone cutting process (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The giant hydraulic blade used for cutting the rock. Water is used to soften the rock and to cool it, countering the heat produced in the cutting process.

Jaisalmer Stone: Stone cutting process (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Slabs of stone at the factory await further transportation and processing.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The craft of carving

In contrast to the large-scale and heavy processes involved in cutting, the stone will be carved using small hand-held tools, primarily a hammer and chisels of different widths.

Jaisalmer Stone: Craft of carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The chisels are diamond tipped, to give them a hard edge for clean cutting.

Jaisalmer Stone: Craft of carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Light hand-held electric tools, such as this rotary blade, are also used in the carving process.

Jaisalmer Stone: Craft of carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A tracing of the design is made out on butter paper, and placed on the stone slab to be carved. This acts as a guide for the artisan to mark out the basic form of the design.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

In the case of geometrical designs the craft person generally draws a grid directly on the slab. The carving is then done in the desired areas.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

An artisan carves a design using a hammer and chisel.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-01)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Detail of a hand carved design.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Some carving is also done with electric tools. Here an artisan uses an electric drill to carve out the required form.

Jaisalmer Stone: Craft of carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Carved panel based on a traditional window design. Often the form is carved with an electric tool, while the finer detailing is executed using a chisel.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The motifs and patterns used in new carving are often inspired by the traditional designs employed in the old architecture of the city.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Craftsmen at work at a stone factory in the industrial area of Jaisalmer. Carved panels are taken to architectural sites where they are used in the construction of new buildings.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Carved sandstone slabs that will be used as decorative door frames, pillars and friezes.

Jaisalmer Stone: Stoneware Products (2018-02-01)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Making simple stonewares

In addition to the elaborately carved architectural elements, artisans also use electric lathes to make a host of simple functional and decorative products. These handy articles are popular with both locals and tourists. 

Jaisalmer Stone: Stoneware products (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

For this, slabs of stone are first made into smaller pillar like pieces.

Jaisalmer Stone: Crafting the stone (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

These pillars are affixed to an electric lathe, and made to the size specifications required.

Jaisalmer Stone: Crafting the stone (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A pillar is shaped by turning it. Different attachments are used on the turning machine for various functions and effects.

Jaisalmer Stone: Crafting the stone (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The final stage on the lathe is that of making the surface even.

Jaisalmer Stone: Crafting the stone (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The completed product is then smoothened and finished with the use of sandpaper.

Jaisalmer Stone: Stoneware products (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A variety of simple forms are made using the turning technique. Products include functional and decorative articles, that are popular with locals as well as tourists.

Jaisalmer Stone: New carving (2018-02-02)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Credits: Story

Text: Rashmi Sacher
Photography: Subinoy Das
Artisans: Kamal Kishore Vaishno and his team of crafts people, Ladoo Ram, workers at Ricco industries
Ground Facilitator: Rashmi Sacher
Curation: Aradhana Nagpal

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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