Sculpted miniatures

SANTOSH SHIVARAM'S delicately sculpted corning glass sculptures are a pointer to the evolving and eclectic face of Indian craft, which is increasingly being shaped out of innovative media. Shivaram has, over the past two decades, visualised and created some ingenious pieces of sculpture out of solid corning glass rods. Pretty little horse and carriage sets, trasluscent bells, birds and animals, elegant fruit and cheese picks, cheeky pens, vintage cars, blushing roses, and above all, tiny Ganeshas in every known and unknown avatar! Inspired by Steuburn's exquisite sculpted glass works, this designer-craftsman decided, early in life, to traverse (career) roads less travelled. And so he took to bending, shaping and "gathering" 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm thick corning glass rods and sculpting pieces full of charm, ingenuity and a wry Dickensian humour.

"We specialise in miniature 'Gitopadesam' sculptures", says Shivaram. His exquisite kuthuvillakkus are no less special - one can pour oil and use them. But it is his lovely Ganeshas that have caught the imagination of the people of Chennai, and of Singapore, where at a recent exhibition, many Chinese bought them, as the "elephant God would bring them luck".

The tiny Ganeshas come sitting or standing, playing on the nadaswaram and mridangam, playing cricket or tennis, driving chariot, as 'mapillai' on his Kasiyatra and even speaking into a mike!

The specially crafted 'lucky' Ganesha has become the mascot of many people around the world, the original one having been blessed by the Paramacharya of the Kanchi Mutt. Believed to bring luck on whoever possesses it, Shivaram is inundated - both in person and 'on line' - with orders for this adorable sculpted piece.

Sculpted glass roses for Air India and for a retrospective of Kamal Hassan's films abroad, cocktail stirrers for many hotels now turning away from plastic ones and a specially commissioned vintage car for a minister in Mauritius, a "cycle rickshaw for two" as a Valentine day's gift and rare corporate gifts - Shivaram has made them all. And he hopes that these translucent sculptures, made with keen attention to detail, will one day attain the stature of exclusive gifts and collector's items like Steuburn's unique glass sculpture pieces.

PUSHPA CHARI

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