Varanasi :

A beautiful wooden replica of Buddha’s stone image, which was sculpted during Gupta period and kept at the archaeological museum in Sarnath, has been prepared by a wood carving artisan Chandra Prakash Vishwakarma for the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier visiting Varanasi on March 22. Besides, a handloom stole displaying Buddhist mantra ‘Buddham sharnam gachhami’ with peepal leaves has also been made by Bachchelal Maurya.

Since the German president will first go to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the artisans chose to make Buddhist crafts for him. According to the itinerary received here by the district administration, after reaching here on March 22 morning, he will first visit Sarnath to see Buddhist sites including Dhamekha Stupa, temples and monasteries.

“It took seven days to complete the carving of Buddha’s image on Kaima wood,” said Vishwakarma, a resident of Ramkatora area, adding that he created this piece of demand of Maha Bidhi Society of India. According to him, the 18×12-inches wooded carved image of Buddha is the replica of the 5th century stone statue put on display at Sarnath museum. According to the museum record, the stone image (155x87x27) of preaching Buddha is dated to Gupta period of 5th century. This image is remarkable example of the form of compassionate one in its spirituality and inner- bliss. The wheel (dharmachakra) occupies the central position on the pedestal. Figure of deer are placed on either side of wheel denoting the place as deer park. The figures of five disciples to whom Buddha preached first sermon are depicted along with a lady and child on the lower part of the image.

Similarly, master weaver Maurya, a native of Chhahi village, worked for 10 days to weave a stole using calligraphy technique showing –“Buddham sharnam gachhami, Dhammam sharnam gachhami, Sangham sharnam gachhami” with the images of peepal leaves. He said that he wanted to showcase the Banarasi art before the world leaders during their visits to the city. Germany is one of the big importers of traditional crafts of Varanasi and eastern UP, he said adding that during his visit to the city the French President Emmanuel Macron also appreciated handloom and other crafts.

Earlier, local craftsmen had also prepared exquisite artifacts during the visit of French President who along with Prime minister Narendra Modi visited the city on March 12. The artisans had prepared several exclusive art pieces of famed Gulabi Meenakari (Pink enameling), wood craft, soft stone craft undercut work, zari-zardozi art and handloom weave. They had also prepared beautiful gift items for the Japanese PM Shinzo Abe during his visit to the city on December 12, 2015. “Main objective of preparing traditional items for the international guests is to catch their attention towards the richness Banarasi crafts so that they could make place in international markets,” said an expert of Geographical Indication (GI) Rajni Kant of Human Welfare Association engaged in promotion of local art and crafts. He said that the art of Banarasi wood carving would get GI certification soon.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India/ News> City News> Varanasi News / by Binay Singh / TNN / March 20th, 2018