SVITSA – WHERE ROCKS TURN INTO DIVINE IDOLS

• TTD sculptors transforming rocks into devotional Icons
• Sculpting deities to world since 1977
• Global demand for TTD Idols

The hard rocks here turn in to beautiful idols of various deities. And these idols have a huge demand not only in Indian market but overseas. Sculpting these live statues are none other than the sculptors of TTD-run Sri Venkateswara Institute of Traditional Sculpture and Architechture, located near Alipiri, at the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara.

ESTABLISHED IN 1960

As part of its commitment to promote fine arts, for enhancing devotional elixir of Lord Venkateswara, TTD also took up provision and production of idols to temples within the country and also abroad at subsidized costs.

In 1960, TTD established the Venkateswara Oriental Temple building training centre on the Alipiri road which has over years emerged as the singular institute of imparting sculpture training in the country. TTD commenced making of Idols for temples at this complex from 1977 onwards.

1000 STUDENTS PASS OUT AS SCULPTORS

So far about 1000 sculptors and artists have passed out of the institute in the past 57 years, which is only the second in the realm of stone sculpting in entire India next to Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu.

According to Sri Devadasu, the Principal of SVITSA, top sculptors of the period like Ganapati, Shankar, Shiv Nagi Reddy and Velu had graduated from this institute only.

DEMAND FOR TTD IDOLS IN OVERSEAS

Overseas and domestic demand is spiralling in the wake of the expertise of the TTD centre in chiselling the idols of various Hindu deities for installation in temples across the globe. TTD has will prepare these stone idols within a time frame of three months.

The idols made in TTD are of great demand in view of cost effectiveness and institutions from Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir besides US, UK, South Asian countries are placing orders with the TTD.

KASYAPA SILPA SHASTRA AND SILPA KALA VAISISTHYAM

The ancient texts which prescribe the rules and norms of art of sculpting are the tenets of sculpting works in TTD sculpture institute. The supine rocks – Krishnashila- needed for making idols are sourced at Arramgundram and Suradhamanur villages of Tamil Nadu. Each trained sculptor is given responsibility for making one idol at a time. TTD paid these sculptors on the piece rate basis on size, designs and other variable features of the idol.

TTD SUPPLIES FOR SUBSIDY

The stone and Panchaloha idols are provided with 75% subsidy for BCs and others while for free of cost and on 90% subsidy to SCs and STs respectively.


ISSUED BY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTD, TIRUPATI