Swamimalai Bronze icons: the metal pride of Tamilnadu
Swamimalai, a suburb near Kumbakonam is a home for more than 2000 Sthapathis, sculptors and metal artisans. A journey of rejuvenation of traditional handicrafts and culture set forth by our researchers led us to the GI tagged Swamimalai bronze icons (no: 514). This metal craft is mainly famous for the creation of Hindu temple deity statues called ‘Utsavar silai’ . Apart from the temple statues, the sthapathis create intricate icons ranging from 6 inches to 12 feet in height. These icons are exported around the world and can be seen at entrance in many star hotels and other affluent areas as a welcome symbol. Background The history of bronze icons is traced back to the Chola dynasty. King Raja Raja Cholan summoned many sculptors during the construction of Brihadeshwara temple. These sculptors later settled in Swamimalai region and started to create these superlative bronze beauties. Contrary to the name, these statues are made up of an alloy called Panchloha of five different metal