Thirty -five km from Thanjavur, Swamimalai is the city of Swamimalai, on the banks of a tributary of the Kaveri River. It is here, 2,000 years ago during the Chola rule, that bronze sculptures began to be made.
During the city visit, we make a point to go to Shri Rajan Industries, the creator of bronze idols, according to Shilpa Shastra, who organizes workshops on bronze casting and runs a school to train young enthusiasts in the craft. As soon as you enter the premises, you are congratulated by sculpture works and work-progress idols of Hindu deities.
Swamimim is famous for this craft in Tamil Nadu, which was born in the seventh century. It is said that “Sembiyan Mahadevi was thrown under the patronage of the wife of Gandaraditya Chola (949 CE to 957 CE),” says Suresh Kumar, manager of Mr. Rajan Industries.
The workshop and school were first managed by the native of the founder Suresh Rajan-Kerala, who learned Bronze Casting in the art and metal society affiliated to the government at Swamimmai at the age of 24. “I was too young when I developed a passion for sculping,” now 71 -year -old Suresh says.
The idols are teased for perfection. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The craftsmen are referred to as the stoppaths and belong to the Wavekarma community. They settled in this temple city when they came to know that it was ideal for making alluvial soils, bronze sculptures rich in high soil material found on the banks of Kaveri. Since the craft was dropped below generations, the owner of the swamimamani remains a hub. “Currently, there are about 400 families practicing this craft,” informs Suresh, who also tells us why Murugan is called Swaminathaswamy in the city. “Because it is believed that Lord Murugan taught his father, Lord Shiva here the meaning of Pranav Mantra (OM).”
An expert in bronze casting, Suresh, explained the process, “First, a soil (a mixture of bees and resin) models is made on the wax, with an opening down. Molted metal – 84 percent of copper mixture, 14 percent zinc and two percent are poured above tin and two percent are separated and separated for a day to solve it. Are filled with alloys.
Traditionally, Panchloha also included silver and gold, but these metals are now used in restraint due to rising prices. Says Suresh, “We only add when a customer tells us. Sometimes, people donate their gold or silver jewelery.”
Currently there are 400 families in the village who practice this craft. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Every idol/idol comes with a story. Fifty-two-year-old Arul Jyoti, who has been a sculptor for 40 years, shared the almost full idol of Parvati, shared: “In this form, she is enjoyable.
Praveen, a 23 -year -old, who attended school about seven years ago, shows how he shapes condemnable wax in a meditation posture on a portable furnace. During the period of Chola, bronze cast sculptures were used for processions and were called Urchwa or Utsav Mortis. They were taken to the streets on a chariot from the temple, which were often decorated with flowers, jewelery and silks, while people searched blessings in many temples during the procession.
Praveen has been with school for seven years (can we check if he is a boy). Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Detailing is important when it comes to this wax bronze casting. Says Kumar, “Stagaths can see the design of eye size, mudras, delicate folds and ornaments of the dress – all idols are coming in life. Each statue or statue is unique, because we make only one with each mold,” says Kumar.
When the epidemic hit, the idol manufacturers demanded other jobs and the verification lost skilled craftsmen. According to Suresh Kumar, craft is a fusion of spirituality and science, and a Panchloha idol is a precursor to positive vibes. Therefore, it is important to protect the craft from extinction.
According to Rajan, some people are coming to learn the GI-tag craft. “Indians do not appreciate it, but do Western people. So NRIS or VVIPs. Local consumers are still looking for large -scale bronze sculptures, which lacks the beauty and fine details we have created,” they say.
Published – July 19, 2025 12:48 pm IST
