Reviving tradition: The story of Kinnal artist Santosh Kumar Anjaneya Chitragar

Community & Culture By Deeksha Devadiga Sep 22, 2024 Read the article

Santosh Kumar Anjaneya Chitragar, a 32-year-old Kinnal artist, carries the legacy of a centuries-old craft that takes its name from Kinnal village in Karnataka’s Koppal district.

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Kinnal — or Kinhal — craft is a form of sculpting wood and it has a history that dates back to the Vijayanagara Empire.

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Historians speculate that when the Vijayanagara empire fell to invaders, the artisans, who carved the images of the Hampi temple complex, scattered, affecting the craft.

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Over the years, however, the popularity of this craft has dwindled, and artisans like Santosh have struggled to keep the tradition alive.

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Santosh was born into a family of Chitragars. “It’s muscle memory,” he says, recalling how he grew up watching his grandparents and parents create idols.

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Kinnal artisans carve lightweight wood intricately, then apply a mixture of neem powder, tamarind seed powder, and jute to shape the figures.

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When Santosh initially ventured into the world of home decor, people were hesitant to buy religious idols for their homes, fearing it would be disrespectful to deities.

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One of Santosh’s most significant achievements was securing a project for Bengaluru International Airport’s Terminal 2.

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He leads a team of 10 artisans, each specialising in different aspects of the production process, from wood carving to the application of the kitta and painting.

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