Sacred Sandalwood – “The Divine Tree”

How many are the trees on earth that bear 

the scented flower and juicy fruits! 
Yet, O' Sandal you are unique in possessing 
Unparalled fragrance of wood. 
- Sanskrit shloka

INTRODUCTION

Handicrafts form a fundamental part of India's rich cultural heritage and provide the
individual style which is unique to the state it belongs to. Artists create breathtaking
designs that have captured the imagination of the user populous worldwide. Sandalwood
craft is quite famous, mainly in the southern part of India.Sandalwood is believed to be
scented by the Gods. Sandalwood or Chandan as it is called in Hindi. Idols and prayer beads
are made out of this wood. There are various other crafts which make use of this wood.

Karnataka, is one such state in India, where Sandalwood is found in abundance. The
innumerable objects made of this wood are popular for their style presentation and above
all for their unique fragrance. At times, the other objects which are not necessarily made of
sandalwood also acquire the smell of sandalwood. Mysore in Karnataka is known to the
world equally for its vast sandalwood forests.

The most popular objects that are made in the sandal wood are figurines of deities like
Ganesh, Laxmi, Krishna, Shiva and so many others. Elephant and other animal statues,
small pooja temples for homes are other items which are very famous among the masses.
Other smaller items made of sandalwood are paper knives, key chains, book marks, screens
and chess sets etc. Very famous craft of this wood is the statues made of Lord Krishna,
which are very popular among devotees. There is a peculiar style wherein the Lord is seen
standing cross legged with a flute in his hand. Other regions in addition to Karnataka are
Tamil Nadu and Andhra, where this art is practiced with lot of devotion. The sandalwood
craft is really an amazing creation. The intricate designs made on sculptures are really
amazing and reveals the expertise and efficiency and above all the patience of the
craftsmen.

The importance of sandalwood to Karnataka is considerable as the sandalwood tree is

declared as Karnataka's State Tree. The art of sandalwood craftsmanship has been passed
down for centuries within artisan families living in Mysore, Uttara Kannada and Shimoga.
And the most famous of these areas is Mysore, thus it is coined as the Sandalwood City of
Karnataka.Due to extensive plantation of Sandal wood trees, in about 8000 kilometers,
particularly in North Karnataka, this craft has taken roots in those parts.
 TRADITIONAL VALUES

Sandalwood in Sacred Tradition

The olfactory characteristics of sandalwood are legendary. The non-dominating fixative

characteristics of the oil make it the ideal choice for creating attars and a wide range of
other perfumes. It has the capacity to absorb the most ethereal notes of other plant
materials, enrich and enliven them and give them back in a yet more beautiful form.

Many substitutes have been tried for sandalwood but in the end one can only say that
"sandalwood is sandalwood" and there is no real substitute for it.

In India the heartwood of sandalwood has divine status. One species, Hari-chandan was
said to grow only in the heaven worlds filling the Celestial Empire with its divine fragrance.
The terrestrial sandalwood is said to be its representative on earth. The fragrance of the
sandalwood is said to be one of the most pleasing to the gods, hence its use use in unguents,
incense and fragrant oils.

A paste is made from the wood for applying to the forehead in a variety of symbolic
markings indicating to which religious sect a person belongs. Its cooling and soothing
properties when applied in this manner are said to direct a person’s attention towards
contemplation of the mystery of life.
 Traditional sandalwood agarbati

In the last rites of devote hindus, the wood is considered a most important ingredient of
the funeral pyre. It is thought that the soul is carried back to its eternal abode with the
scent of sandalwood. The fragrance of sandalwood and the religious life of India's people,
can hardly be separated. 

MATERIAL AND VISUAL ASPECTS

A. Material

Sandalwood: The protected tree

Botanical name: Santalum album

Family: Santalaceae, the sandalwood family 

The plant
Trunk - sapwood is white and unscented. Heartwood is strongly aromatic, with an oily feel
and yellowish color. The wood is widely used in carving.

Flowers - from the age of about 3 years, it flowers twice a year during March to April and
September to October.

There are about 19 species of Santalum, but sandalwood has the highest oil content. Other
Santalum species occurring in Australia and the Pacific islands have been, or are, harvested
for their fragrant wood. 

In Karnataka, the sandalwood tree is one of the few things one cannot own even if it grows
in one's own garden. It is the property of the state and government permission is required
to fell it or even to cut off some of its branches. It is illegal to carry sandalwood logs and
billets without a permit. The rules have been framed to check indiscriminate felling of these
precious trees.
Sandalwood has a sweet fragrance. Sandalwood can be considered as the king in the
category of fragrant woods. The sandalwood is predominantly found in the Asian countries
of Sri Lanka, India, Hawaii, and also the Australian islands and south pacific islands.
Mysore is the hub of the flourishing sandalwood industry.

Santalum album- Santalaceae, the sandalwood family 

Two types of Sandalwood

  The first is called Srigandha which has a close grain and is yellow-brown in color.
This is the best form of sandalwood from which to make carvings with.
 The second is called Nagagandha which is a dark brown shade and is mainly used
for the extraction of oil. Karnataka sandalwood carvers is mainly found in the cities
and towns of Bangalore, Mysore, Shimoga, Sorab, Honavar and Kumta.

Parasites- Sandalwood trees are semi-parasitic - they tap into the nutrient supply of nearby
plants. Some 300 species are known to have been parasitised by sandalwood.

Other generic common names:

 Sandalwood, East Indian sandalwood (English)

 Chandan, chandal, sandal (Hindi)

 Chandana, ananditam, taliaparnam (Sanskrit)

 Chandan, peetchandan (Bengal)

 Sandanam, ulocidam, kulavuri (Tamil)

 sá ndalo (Spanish)

 bois de santal (French)

Sandalwood is a name synonymous with natural fragrance. Coming under the Santalum
genus it is a plant often used for extracting aromatic oils that in turn become an ingredient
for producing perfumes and similar product.
The wood scented by the gods
Believed to be scented by the Gods, Sandalwood or Chandan as it is called in Hindi, is
considered sacred by most of the Indians. It is the wood from which idols and prayer beads
are made. The Parsis feed their sacred fires with it.
Being a wood with a heavenly smell, it is extensively used in cosmetic and soap
manufacturing. In many parts of the country, brides still have their ritual bath with
sandalwood paste.

Growing the Sandalwood

Sandalwood grows mainly in India in the state of Karnataka. The state accounts for about
70 per cent of the production, the rest mainly coming from Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh. The tree grows naturally in fertile tropical forestlands with abundant rainfall. It is
also cultivated.
The tree is a root parasite. Soon after germination, the seedling finds a host and derives
nourishment from it. It grows about 10 meters high, has a girth of one-and-a half- meters
and lives for over a 100 years.
History of Sandalwood Tree in India
Till 1916, Karnataka, then the princely state of Mysore, was exporting sandalwood to
France and other European countries for the extraction of oil. But during World War I
when huge stocks of wood piled up in the state, an oil-extraction unit in Mysore and
another one at Shimoga was set up. Since then, Mysore became synonymous with
sandalwood.

Sandalwood

A far-flung tree

East Indian sandalwood and other species have also been harvested for their oil
in Indonesia, Fiji and Australia. Overharvesting has been a common problem. The USA and
France are two of the biggest importers.

Sandalwood Legends
A popular saying is that no other tree can grow where the sandalwood does. The reason for
this belief could be the fact that the root of the tree is supposed to suck in all the required
nutrients needed for its growth from the nearby trees. Another belief says that the smell of
the wood is so intoxicating that snakes are said to wrap themselves around the tree.

Sandal wood extraction process

The most valuable part of the sandalwood tree is the scented heartwood. If the tree
establishes itself in a favorable location it will begin forming the heartwood after 10 years
of growth. At that point the girth of the tree will be about 9 inches and its height 10 feet.
After 20 years the heartwood begins to form rapidly and reaches its prime in the 50-60
year range at which point the tree will be about 2-3 feet in girth, and upto 60 feet high. The
trees having reached this stage and considered ripe for harvest are uprooted not cut, as the
roots are highest in oil content. The appropriate time for doing this is just after the rainy
season so as to reduce labor.

After the tree is uprooted it is reassembled on the ground to imitate the original structure
of the tree. The branches not containing heartwood are lopped off on site while the
branches containing heartwood are sawn as close to the trunk of the tree as possible.

Numbers are assigned to each and every useable part so that a careful record can be kept of
this valuable commodity. The wood is stripped of all the unscented white sapwood save for
3/4" which covers the heartwood. Final separation of sapwood from heartwood takes place
at centrally located storage depots. Thicker and heavier portions of tree are cut into billets
3'6" in length and even the sawdust generated from this process is saved. Much attention is
given to the cutting of the billets as knot and dent free wood fetches a higher price. The
billets, sawdust, and root system wood are all carefully weighed before transport to the
depot. This also helps prevent the loss of wood from theft.

In the sandalwood depot the remaining sapwood is carefully removed by people skilled in
this type of work. Extreme care must be taken so that all the precious heartwood remains
intact. After all the processes are completed the wood is separated into heartwood, branch
wood, chips, and powder for auction. Even the sapwood containing a tiny bit of fragrance
due to its proximity to the heartwood will be auctioned off. The wood is auctioned off from
these sites twice yearly.

Cutting of Sandalwood Tree

Sandalwood Oil

Sandal oil is extracted from sandalwood wood. Mysore is famous for both the cultivation of
sandalwood and extraction of oil from the wood. In fact, it is known as the 'home of sandal'.
The only Sandalwood Oil Factory is located in Mysore and is owned by the Government of
Karnataka, which extracts oil from the wood and makes it available to public. However, in
view of limited supplies, the oil rates are high.

Sandalwood oil Essential

The oil distilled from it, 60 kg of oil can be extracted from a ton of heartwood, is used in the
formulation of perfumes, lotions, soap and candles. Mashed into a paste, it is used in folk
medicine and spread on the skin to purify the complexion and heal rashes.
Sandalwood trees are the source of an attractive and fragrant wood. The wood is popular
for wood carving, and is the source of sandal oil. The oil is valued for perfumery and
incense. The popularity of sandalwood has led to severe conservation problems.

An uncertain future

India accounts for 90% of world production of sandal oil, but production is declining as too
many trees are cut down.
Not just a pretty face

Sandalwood doesn't just smell nice. Scientific research has shown that the oil has soothing
and anti-bacterial properties on the skin. It is added to hair oils and body lotions.

Sandalwood oil

Sandalwood Uses

The inner wood or heartwood is used for carving and the bark when powdered is an
important raw material in the manufacture of agarbatis or essence sticks. For the
extraction of oil, used by the cosmetic and soap industry, the tree has to be uprooted, for it
is the roots that have the highest percentage of oil.

Even spent wood after oil extraction is an important raw material in agarbati manufacture.
Sandalwood scrapings are powdered and sold in pouches. The powder makes an excellent
face and skin pack.

A Hindu home usually has a billet of the wood which is rubbed on a stone plate sprinkled
with water and the resulting paste is applied to the foreheads of idols during puja.
An ancient Indian remedy for prevention of sunstroke is a glass of cold milk scented with a
drop of sandalwood oil. This drink is also supposed to prevent boils and other skin
ailments caused, according to the Indian school of medicine, by excessive heat in the body.

B. Visual aspects
Indian Wood Sculpture and Indian Wooden Carvings- The art of sculpting wood is one
of oldest art in history. To create a good wood sculpture the art men requires effective skill
and creativity for design a perfect sculpture. Most of wooden sculptures are made almost
all over India but the southern states of India like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and
Tamil Nadu have a remarkably impressive tradition of wood sculpting.

Indian Centers of Wood Sculpting in South

Centres of Sandalwood Craft

Most of the manufacturers of wooden statues and sculptures are from Karnataka. This
means Karnataka is famous for tree of sandalwood and also for sandalwood sculptures.
Wood from Shivani tree are mostly used for wooden crafts and wood sculptures also these
are having more trust.

The most favorite wooden craft is the elephant figures of Hindu goddesses and gods,
Mystic, Savior and of birds and other animals are also crafted from vintage classic
precocious artisans or craftsmen. The cities of Karnataka and Kerala are also famous for
their rosewood sculptures. In the state of Kerala , sheesham most famous rosewood statues
are carved in Trichur and Trivandrum.

SANDALWOOD CRAFT (Visual Aspect)

Highly skilled workers, primarily the gudigar families of Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and
Mysore districts specialize in this craft of intricate carvings on sandal wood.
The sandal wood tree is never felled but is uprooted during the rainy season when the
roots are richer in oil. The wood is refined and used to make a plethora of products that
range from idols of deities and finely wrought chariots to decorative pieces such as paper
cutters, boxes, name cases, trays, photo frames, combs, walking-sticks, fans, cigarette cases,
holders, and elephant statues. The roots and trunk of the tree are used for extraction of
sandal oil - a base for perfume, medicines and cosmetics.

The sandalwood craft is really an amazing creation of Karnataka as well as the hoard of the
royal elephants. A major portion of the sandalwood craft made in this area is found to
depict the royal figures enjoying elephant ride. The intricate designs made on such
sandalwood crafts of Karnataka are really astonishing and reveals the expertise of the
craftsmen. 

Sandalwood Carving of Lord Krishna

Almost the entire state of Karnataka produces the sandalwood craft, the gudigar families
are specialized in this field and their works really stand apart. 

Another significant aspect of the sandalwood craft in Karnataka is the depiction of the

image of Lord Krishna. Krishna images are extremely popular among the devotees. There is
a peculiar style wherein the Lord is seen standing cross legged with a flute in his hand. This
particular image is very popular to the experts of the sandalwood craft. 

The sandalwood craft in Karnataka include the articles like lamp shades, trays, jewel boxes,
decorative articles, combs and even walking sticks with rosewood handles.

SANDALWOOD CARVING
Sandal wood carving is an ancient tradition and has been the part of Indian culture and
heritage. The fragrant wood is used by Hindus and Buddhist in certain rituals as incense.

Sandalwood Vinayaka Statue

Size and weight: 24"hx13"w, 15kgs
 
The hard yellow wood is used for carving into combs, beads, and religious artifacts.
Sandalwood (Santalum album) carving is distinct in comparison to other woods as it is
softer aromatic wood that allows intricate carving required for making the idols. Having
migrated from Goa during the Portuguese invasion, the Gudigars settled in Uttara
Kannada(north) and Mysore regions.

Types of Carving
There are four types carving in sandalwood:
1. Relief
2. Chipping
3. Incising
4. Piercing
The products carved consists of Idols of Gods and Goddesses and boxes with interlacing
foliage and scroll like patterns interspersed with animal and birds figurines that are the
characteristics of Karnataka. The idols are carved in the round on a pedestal or against as
background.

Different regions in India have distinct styles of carving. For example, in Surat and
Ahmadabad carved foliage tends to be large and deeply cut, while in Mysore the sprays are
more delicate.

Making sandalwood products is a meticulous task as it involves great levels of

craftsmanship and a mountain of patience to turn blocks of wood into mesmerizing
ornaments. All processes and tasks from nurturing sandalwood plants to finishing the
products come under the sandalwood industry. The state of Karnataka, in the south of
India, is famous throughout the world for its sandalwood industry.

The sandalwood statues look beautiful and give an artistic touch to the place wherever they
are placed. The intricately carved sandalwood statues of the god sculpture and temple
statues are a prized possession of the art lover.

Famous elephant carved statue

The sandalwood statues are carved in different poses and in different sizes. There are
statues of dancing Ganesha, Nataraja, saraswathi, krishna, sandalwood Ganesha with
Krishna, sandalwood sculptures of lakshmi, and many more. All the statues are mounted on
a pedestal to provide a stable base, and this gives the liberty to place the statue wherever
the requirement.

TOOLS (For Sandalwood Carving)

 1. Fret saw
2. Chana- chisels
3. Fine Carving tools
4. Punches
5. Hammers
6. Hand Bow
7. Hand Drill
8. Divider
9. Scale
10. Hackshaw
11. Garsi- mortise gauge

CARE

Keep indoors. Lightly dust the figurine as required. The recommendation is to use of a mild
wood cleaner on a swab of cotton wool.
PRODUCTS OF SANDALWOOD

Karnataka has the Gudigars families that for generations have been engaged in sandalwood
and ivory carving. They are concentrated in Sagar and Sorab regions in Shimoga district
and are trained in the craft from childhood. While the Gudigar men make idols, figurines
and knick-knacks like penholders, agarbati stands, cuff links, photo frames and paper clips,
the women are adapt at making garlands and wreaths out of thin layers of scraped
sandalwood.
The Gudigars make some of the most exquisite pieces using simple tools like knives,
screwdrivers, hand drills and saws.

Spiritual sandalwood Garland

Moslem rosary, Buddha rosary, Rosario, walking stick, hand fan, sandalwood powder,
statues, Chess Color, Wooden Pen, Chess Board, Wooden Batik, incense Stick, Sandalwood
Incense Curve.
 Sandalwood Comb

Sandalwood Chess Boards

 Sandal Soap of Mysore

Sandalwood Fan Curve

The Karnataka government ensures that they are given a regular supply of the wood. The
items they make are sold in government emporia and through licensed private dealers.
 CONSERVATION OF SANDALWOOD AND ARTISANS SITUATION

Environmental Problem- SPLL “Species Loss Land”

Deforestation is side effect of this CRAFT, but the primary concern is the loss of a particular
plant species.
The conservation status of sandalwood in India is not good. Overharvesting and deforestation
have led to a serious decline in wild populations. The plants are in danger of extinction and
there still seems to be little control over illegal logging and the government is not providing
enough support for the establishment of plantations.

Unfortunately too many sandalwood trees have been cut down, and conservation is a
serious concern. It is illegal to export whole pieces of timber from India, and the Indian
government controls how sandalwood is used within India. However, there is a great deal
of smuggling. Craftsmen can get licenses allowing them to buy sandalwood from
government wood yards.

Not only has the amount of sandalwood decreased, but the quality of the wood has
decreased as well. Most of the larger old trees have been cut down, so the trees now being
used are smaller or may be diseased with hollow trunks. This reduces the size of the
blocks that can be carved. The scarcity is forcing carvers to change to other woods such as
rosewood. In some cases lack of raw material has led to artisans becoming unemployed.

Sandalwood is essential for practicing traditions and rituals in various religions, for carving
religious images and for making herbal remedies.
 

MARKET OF SANDALWOOD CRAFT

Trade in sandalwood dates back to the beginning of trading in India. Realizing its value, the
Sultan of Mysore declared it a royal tree in 1792. It continues to retain that place today and
no individual may own a sandalwood tree. Even if the tree grows on private land it is
owned by the government. However, an individual is entitled to receive seventy five
percent of its value as a bonus for growing and protecting the trees. Due to its high value
and increased demand in internal and external markets, sandalwood prices have
skyrocketed. The increase in price is partly due to a decrease in supply during the 1930s-
1950s.

In 1950, 4,000 tons of heartwood was produced, in 1990, this was down to 2,000 tons.
Increase in demand can be attributed to the popularity of aromatherapy and trends in the
cosmetic industry toward natural products.
Sandalwood Prices, 1900-1990

Year Rs/Ton

1900 365
1933 1,000
1965 6,000
1970 10,000
1980 31,000
1987 78,000
1990 160,000
1990 78,000

Sandalwood is so valuable that it is accurately weighed in grams when being sold. It has a
very even texture because it is close grained. There are very few knots in the wood. It is the
heartwood which is used most, as it has a scent that lasts for years and the yellow/brown
colour when first cut gets darker with age. Sandalwood sapwood is white or yellow and not
scented, although it can still be made into craft objects.

GOVERNEMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Trade in sandalwood dates back to the beginning of trading in India. Realizing its value, the
Sultan of Mysore declared it a royal tree in 1792. It continues to retain that place today and
no individual may own a sandalwood tree. Even if the tree grows on private land it is
owned by the government. However, an individual is entitled to receive seventy five
percent of its value as a bonus for growing and protecting the trees.

The Indian government instituted policies concerning the planting and harvesting of
sandalwood trees long ago. Recent renewed efforts to stop illegal cutting should help the
conservation effort. Any decision made by the Indian government, or any of its state
governments, to impose a ban on sandalwood exports or stricter cutting rules will
primarily affect revenues in their respective jurisdictions. The continued demand for
sandalwood and the resulting decrease in supply will drive the price up; this will affect
other nations that import sandalwood and sandalwood by- products, such as Saudi Arabia
and the U.S. Other suppliers such as Australia and Indonesia will most likely scramble to fill
the demand and the black market trade in sandalwood craft will continue.
The Government of India internally protects the sandalwood tree by maintaining control
over its harvesting. The effect on trade is indirect because there are no restrictions on the
wood or its by-products once it is ready for export.

Recent attempts by the national government to introduce legislation to limit the

exportation of sandalwood have been met by opposition by a powerful sandalwood lobby.
Many legitimate businesses are involved in the sandalwood trade making an export ban
unlikely. Local and national efforts to clamp down on smuggling have resulted in violence
with little effect on the illegal trade in sandalwood crafts.

Theft and Smugglings of Sandalwood and Sandalwood Craft

The issue - The Indian sandalwood tree has become endangered in recent years, and in an
attempt to curb its possible extinction the Indian government is trying to limit the
exportation of sandalwood. The tree is already government controlled, and removal is
prohibited whether on private or temple grounds until the tree is thirty years old. This has
not stopped many poachers from cutting trees down as soon as authorities are not
watching. Smuggling of sandalwood has created socio-economic and law and order
problems in areas bordering the state of Tamil Nadu.

Due to its high value sandalwood is exploited by thieves and smugglers. They have
developed many ingenious means for transporting the wood to people willing to illegally
traffic in this commodity. Penalties for detection of illicit trading in it are severe and the
government is making restrictions on the purchasing of sandalwood ever more stringent.

Although trade in Indian sandalwood is officially restricted, smuggling remains a serious

threat to the tree. In May of 1993 the biggest and costliest manhunt in Indian history was
launched to track down the leader of India’s major sandalwood smuggling ring, Veerapan.
Veerapan had been smuggled sandalwood and sandalwood craft of worth 1 billion rupees .
Once a company has purchased it through legal channels, careful records must be kept as to
how it is being used so that when officials check the records, the amount purchased and the
amount sold match. The connection between fragrant plants and spirituality as practiced in
India is profound. Sandalwood holds the pre-eminent place amongst them. It was the
material of transformation and elevation.

CONTEMPRORY FORM AND MEANING

Substitutes: SYNTHETICS

Sandalwood oil substitutes have been developed for use in the perfume industry. However,
most top grade perfumes still use sandalwood oil as their base. The historical prestige
associated with sandalwood combined with the wood's natural qualities makes chemical
substitutes unappealing at present.

In the contemporary world sandalwood products and craft have gained a high demand not
only due to their exquisite artistry but as much as for the sweet aroma it exudes naturally.
 About 70 percent of sandalwood production comes from Karnataka, especially its northern
territory where sandalwood forests spread for thousands of kilometres. Only the wood that
exceeds 30 years of age is used for making products. The heartwood, the interior hardest
part, of the sandalwood is needed to make wooden ornaments. The sandalwood bark is
grinded into a powder and used for producing incense sticks called agarbatti.

Sandalwood craft works come in different shapes and sizes and prizes also vary
accordingly. The pieces can be made available according to the collector's choice and prize
range they prefer. Prices vary from 5 grams onwards. Some contemporary designs are:

Sandalwood Wax Candles

 Sandalwood Mugs

American designer Stephen Burks, create a tool

carved from native sandalwood that allows for collection and processing of plant-
based materials for use in skincare products.
 American artist and
architect Maya Lin used sandal wood from a Nature Conservancy forest in Maine to
produce a bench and giving the contemporary meaning to relax and calm.

In April of
2006, Aveda premiered their couture collection in California, showcasing dresses
fabricated out of materials ranging from lace made from recycled plastic to
sandalwood sourced from aboriginal communities. The collection was designed in
partnership with London-based fashion designer Deborah Milner to raise ethical and
environmental awareness within the fashion industry.

Spa and Aromatherapy from sandal wood

and sandalwood oil are very much in demand; the sculptured craft is slowly converted
into the consumable craft.
 Installation by Aaron Sinift  , No Title 2008
hydrocal and bone infusion, sandalwood powder, poppies and felt 13" x 8.5" x 8.5"

Intricate Sandalwood Carving with metal

joints.

CONCLUSION
Sandalwood - the Wooden Gold
Intimately tied to Asian cultures for thousands of years, sandalwood is best known for its
use in joss sticks, which are burned as incense in Buddhist and Hindu religious ceremonies.
Sandalwood oil, contained in the heartwood, is highly sought after by the perfume industry
due to its subtle fragrance and unique fixative properties. The potential new markets along
with existing traditional uses such as fine wood crafts make sandalwood one of Western
Australia’s most lucrative renewable resources. With demand from the world market
steadily growing, the forecast is bright for commercial growers to supplement the finite
supply of native sandalwood with plantation grown timber. Continuous harvesting has
gradually depleted the available wood in India and Indonesia. At present there is no longer
enough wood harvested in India to supply their domestic markets. 

Demand in Asia for Western Australian sandalwood is currently exceeding supply. The fine
grained golden wood is also sought after for craftwork and woodcarving. It is considered to
be second only to ivory as a natural material for intricate workmanship. Interest in
aromatherapy and natural body care products has also increased the demand for
sandalwood worldwide. Its fragrant oil can be used on its own, as a carrier, or in an
essential oil blend.

India has used its own sandalwood species (santalum album) for thousands of years. A
rapid decline in the available wood in India over the past decade has forced the Indian
sandalwood industry to look at suitable alternatives and India has recently begun to import
sandalwood from Australia in the form of both raw timber and oil.

The huge amount of uses for sandalwood in India, including the joss stick/ incense
industry, the carving log markets, perfume and oil manufacture, and many ceremonial
religious uses, which combine to consume thousands of tons of sandalwood each year.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Ranjan, M.P., Ranjan Aditi, Handmade in India: An encyclopedia of the handicrafts of
India: The Mapin Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

 http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/sandalwood-industry-
mesmerizing-crafts-wrapped-in-ethereal-fragrances-2849429.html, as sited on
15/02/2011

 www.mysoresamachar.com/buy_from_mysore.htm as sited on 15/02/2011

 http://www.plantcultures.org/plants/sandalwood_landing.html, as sited on
16/021011

 http://www.craftsutra.com/ as sited on 16/02/2011

 http://www.chitrahandicrafts.com/god-statue.html, as sited on 16/02/2011

 http://www.TEDCaseStudies/SandalwoodCase.com, as sited on 17/02/2011

 CRAFT STUDIES
ASSIGNMENT

CRAFT REGION:
KARNATAKA (MYSORE)

CRAFT:
SANDALWOOD
CARVING
Submitted By:

Sumangla Dixit

M.DES, semester- 2nd

NIFT, Mumbai
SANDALWOOD
CARVING
THE SCENTED CRAFT