Some artisans remain despite the hardships
Traditionally, Gudigars and Achars who settled in places like Sagara in Shivamogga district, Sirsi in Uttara Kannada, Channapattana in Bengaluru Rural and places in Mysuru district have preserved the art of wood carving for several generations in Karnataka. | Photo credit: MA SRIRAM
“My children will not become artisans. They will pursue higher education and get proper jobs that will give us social and economic status. I am the last generation of artisans in our family who carve artefacts from sandalwood and other types of wood,” said Adarsh Gudigar, a carver from Sagara in Shivamogga.
He was born into a traditional artisan family, his ancestors were artisans. Traditionally, Gudigars and Achars who settled in places like Sagara in Shivamogga district, Sirsi in Uttara Kannada, Channapattana in Bengaluru Rural and places in Mysuru district have preserved the art of wood carving for several generations in Karnataka.
Mr. Gudigar explained, “My grandfather used to carve ivory artefacts. Later, when the Forest Department banned ivory artefacts, artisans switched to sandalwood. And now, when sandalwood is in short supply, I have switched to rosewood and teakwood.”
He noted that procuring sandalwood is an expensive affair. “In the 1990s, one kg of sandalwood cost ₹115 to buy. When I started working in 2010, it was between ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. Now it costs ₹18,000 per kg, but the availability of sandalwood has reduced. Also, the quality of the wood, which has cracks or lumps, is important.”
The prices of these artefacts start from ₹500 for a key ring and go up to ₹3-4 lakh for a statue of gods and goddesses. Comparing the cost of silverware, Mr Gudigar said: “With that money, people would rather buy some silverware. To survive and pay my staff, I have switched to interior design, woodworking and furniture making. But whenever I get commissioned to carve sandalwood, I do it for clients.”
Bhoopathy Achar, a 70-year-old artist from Channapattana in Bengaluru South district who has won several awards, said the scarcity of sandalwood in the state is an important reason for the dwindling number of artists.
“After 2000, thousands of carvers were left jobless. In a year, the government has to provide 18 kg of sandalwood to sustain themselves. However, this reduced to some four kg and later it simply disappeared,” Mr. Achar.
His brother and son are also carving, but Mr. Achar is not sure if his grandsons will continue in the same profession.
Ganesh Achar, another craftsman from Sirsi, is also the last of his family to take up carving as a profession. He said, “The key reason for the scarcity of sandalwood is the loss of forest cover not only in our state but also in other states. It takes 17 years to extract wood from a sandalwood tree. It cannot be grown in a few years and harvested.”
He appreciates the government’s initiatives to encourage young people to train them in carving and carving. “Recently, the Shilpa Gurukula at Sagara was renovated by the Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited. Those interested can apply for admission here. The training is for 10 months and the government provides a stipend of ₹ 1,500 per month to the artisans for these 10 months,” said Mr. Ganesh. The institute also provides hostel accommodation and meals. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 35 can apply.
“Modern institutions in cities must also include courses like diploma in carving, wood carving and integrate them with new courses,” suggested Mr. Achar.
Published – 13 Jun 2026 21:46 IST