North India has a tradition of carved wooden doors with intricate designs, brass inlay and trellis work for the windows. Assam, with extensive forests, has a rich tradition of woodwork. Most places of worship include large carvings of mythical figures like half-man, Garuda, Hanuman and lion. In West Bengal, clay houses have large wooden pillars and beams with intricate carvIngs.

In Kashmir, houses are lined with wood, with ceilings in geometrical patterns and lattice-worked windows made up of pieces of wood locally known as Pinjara. The state also produces items like furniture, screens, boxes and bowls, mostly prepared from walnut wood, which is found in abundance. Decorative wood panels on ceilings and pillars are called Khatamband.

Ahmedabad in Gujarat is witness to some of the finest ornamental carvings of balconies in old homes. Sankheda is an important centre for lacquered furniture, The surface is painted with designs on a lacquered background. This is used to give a silver-like effect. Bedposts and cradles and toys for children are also made here. Surat has a tradition of marquetry work, which is also called Sadeli.

The Tanjore dolls of Tamil Nadu, made of wood, form a part of the rituals in temples that also have carved wooden pillars.In Andhra Pradesh, Tirupathi's red dolls are sold at the temple complex. Kerala has one of the richest traditions in woodcarving. Most traditional homes have a carved family temple. Kerala wood-carvers also work wonders on sandalwood and rosewood.

In Punjab, old homes have carved doors and windows. Woodcarving and inlays are now practiced in Hoshiarpur. Jalandhar specializes in lacquer-turned furniture. In Uttar Pradesh, Saharanpur is an important centre in woodcarving. Screens and room-dividers with carved patterns and ivory-inlays with minute details are produced here. Manipur is an important centre for Tarkashi, metal thread work, done in furniture.Karnataka specializes in sandalwood carving.Large boxes covered with mythological scenes are an important product of Mysore, Kumta and Sagar.

In south Kanara, life-size wood carving of Buddha figures is done. Mysore has an intricate form of ivory-inlay on wood that can be seen on the ceilings and doors of the Mysore Palace. In Orissa, the main deity of the famed Puri temple, Lord Jagannath is reproduced in wood. A number of wooden masks are also made for the traditional Sahi Jatra.Nagaland has a tradition of manufacturing statues as well as commemorative pillars in wood.

STONE CARVINGS
The art of stone carving developed in India, a little later than wood carving. From ornate inlay with onyx black marble to the finely latticed soapstone, the appeal of the stone has been eternal. Both Hindu and Muslim rulers of India patronized this art. The craft in Uttar Pradesh reached artistic heights of excellence during the Mughal period when the Taj Mahal was created.

The craftsman's mastery over stone is best discovered in the architecture and sculptures found in Khajuraho temples. The intricate carvings found at San chi are amongst the finest found anywhere in the world. Bodh Gaya, a pilgrim site for the Buddhists also has an ancient tradition of stone carving.

Nothing epitomizes best the ethos of Varanasi and Agra than their stone carvings. From intricate architectural masterpieces, perfectly chiselled stoneware to table-tops with inlay work, every item is a piece of exclusive artwork. For centuries, Mathura and Varanasi remained at the centre stage of development. In the 3rd century B.C., the imperial court of Ashoka provided a great boost to the art of stone carving. The stu pas and cave temples of this period are perhaps the earliest surviving stone structures. The red sandstone of Chunar has been lavishly used in the stone sculptures, which were found in excavations of Mathura and Agra areas dating back to the Mauryan era.

Ancient carvers were guided by the ShiLpa ShMtra, which clearly laid the rules for them. The main deity was carved by specialists who were knowledgeable in the properties of different stones, their grain, as well as their proportion needed for the carving. Carving the deity was considered an act of worship and a sacred ritual. Stone temples are built even today and the Sthapathis of Tamil Nadu as well as the Somapuras of Gujarat and Rajasthan are in good demand throughout the country.