Durgi stone craft

Durgi is a village and mandal in the Palnadu region of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh state of southern India.

Durgi stone craft originated here in the 15th century. At that time sculptors preferred soft limestone to the more expensive granite to carve idols.

Today commercial demand for the stone carvings has resulted in the sculptors creating more simple, utilitarian designs than in times past. Craftsmen sell items such as paperweights and lampshades to individuals and dealers.

The School of sculpture and stone carving is located here. The ancient skill which produced masterpieces of atr and sculpture seen at Nagarjunakonda museum continues to be practiced and taught here.the artisans were moved down to this place when the Nagarjuna Sagar Irrigation Project Reservoir inundated their traditional dwellings. These artisans generation after generation continue to follow the traditional methods and styles thereby playing acrucial role in keeping this art from alive for posterity.

The famous Durgi stone craft originated in the Durgi. It is situated 10 Kms from Macherla in Andhra Pradesh. The School of sculpture and stone carving is located here. The ancient skill which produced masterpieces of atr and sculpture seen at Nagarjunakonda museum continues to be practiced and taught here.the artisans were moved down to this place when the Nagarjuna Sagar Irrigation Project Reservoir inundated their traditional dwellings. These artisans generation after generation continue to follow the traditional methods and styles thereby playing acrucial role in keeping this art from alive for posterity.