Scarcity of Conventional Sculptural Mediums in North Eastern States: Some Issues and Possibilities

Abstract

India has always a rich sculptural tradition. Artist of all the period are very familiar to handle the conventional sculptural mediums. Indian sculpture got little touch of modernity after coming of British. But it got total freedom only due to the emergence of RamikinkarBaij in the first part of 20th century. He paved the way of experimentation in the field of Indian sculpture.He was the Pathfinder of a new and unexplored horizon through his experiments with form, concept, medium and working process.But mainly scarcity of medium drove Ramkinkar to explore new sculptural mediums. Sometimes scarcity can open up a way of new possibilities. In the field of sculpture North-Eastern states are also in a same situation. Due to poor communication and connectivity North –East is little bit detached from the mainstream art and conventional sculptural mediums like bronze, stone etc are also not available here. But scarcity is the mother of invention. Due to this scarcity of conventional mediums North –Eastern artists have acquired an unparallel skill to handle the mediums like wood, terracotta and some other local materials which are available in naturally resourceful North- East zone. Number of artists are practicing and attaining national –International attention. So, scarcity of conventional sculptural materials can be considered not as anobstacle it hasnow created some spaces of possibilities for the North- East sculpture.