SRI SUBBIAH STHAPATHI, kancheepuram, tamilnadu, sthapathi, temple architechts, temple designers, temple sculptor

About the Sculptors

SRI SUBBIAH STHAPATHY

Sri Subbiah Sthapathy

One such notable Temple Sculptor’s generation that lasted for more than a Millennium – for almost 15 generations is now most popularly prevalent in the temple city Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu.

The fore-fathers migrated to Chennaipattinam in the early 19^th century. Sri Subbiah Sthapathy and his son Sri Swaminathan Sthapathy belong to this 15^th generation.

Their ancestors were part of the township planning in Arunagiripattinam – Devakottai. The fore-fathers belong to the Viswakarma Aachari sub-caste who have been the most prolific and historic construction of more than 700 Temples and statues of more than 300 Gods and Goddesses in various forms and sculptures. Temple Architecture has been imbibed in the blood of this entire generation of sculptors.

Sri Subbiah Sthapathy one of the 8^th child who was born in the year 1944 to Sthapathy Swamy Aachari who had migrated to Kancheepuram in the 18^th century for the temple architecture job. He was brought up in the Sculptor dynasty and was the 4^th generation sculptors to continue the family tradition.

In the year 1957, he joined the first batch of the Sculptor Training Centre in Mahabalipuram at an early age of 13. His father always believed that if it was in him to become a sculptor, he would – no training could ‘make’ a sculptor. His Projects till this age are impeccable, unchallenged and have earned a great name, fame and laurels to the entire generation. Even now their sculptures, marvels and architectures speak their handy techniques.

Sri Swaminathan Sthapathy

SRI SWAMINATHAN STHAPATHI

Sri Swaminathan Sthapathy - son of SRI SUBBIAH STHAPATHY hails from sthapathi generation with rich lineage of traditional Sthapati's. He is well versed in this art and participated in several construction work with his family and father. His interest towards this art started when he was 5 years old and now with 20 years he has completed 150 projects with his father and 60 projects individually. He has expertise in planning and designing of temples in cement and stone work as per Silpa Shastra. He is highly skilled in Implementing traditional architectural designs in modern buildings and ornamental and plastering works of Hindu temples according to Hindu traditions.

Now he is planning to expand the unit by setting up the unit with latest technology machines for carving the stone for faster work which also be cost effective and will save time.