Pratheek Gudigar and his assistant, Chandraiah Achar, are deeply engaged in the delicate task of sculpting two grand wooden statues, one of Chennaya and the other of Koti, iconic heroes of Tulu Nadu. Located in their workshop at Ankadakatte near Koteshwara in Udupi district, the duo is meticulously shaping the statues, each stroke of their chisel bringing the legendary figures to life. Their work is part of preparations for the Beladi Garodi festival in Udupi, set for the annual fair in April.
Pratheek, born into the Gudigar family, has continued their multi-generational craft of carving wooden deities. Despite being an engineering graduate, the unexpected passing of his father, Pradeep Gudigar, during the pandemic led Pratheek to shift his focus, taking up the responsibility of carrying on the family tradition. “Had I not continued the legacy, the tradition would have ended with my father,” Pratheek reflects. His prior knowledge of statue-making enabled him to take over the unfinished orders, alongside two former artists of his father.
Since 2021, Pratheek has crafted over 70 wooden statues for 48 temples. The demand for these statues surges during the temple festival season, which runs from January to May. Statues range from one to 15 feet tall, and carving one takes 10 to 15 days, depending on design complexity.
A unique feature of these statues is that they are carved from a single piece of wood, usually jackwood or wild jackwood, and painted in vibrant hues of red, yellow, and black. These idols are crafted without nails, a technique that honors Tulu Nadu’s cultural heritage.
Chandraiah, who transitioned from boat-building in Goa, was invited by Pratheek’s father seven years ago to assist with the temple fair, and has since fully embraced the craft. The growing demand for wooden statues continues to fuel their work.
The Gudigar family’s craftsmanship is renowned, with statues such as the 650-year-old replacement at Maranakatte Brahmalingeshwara Temple in 2013 and the statues at the Nandikeshwara Temple in Mekkikattu, Udupi. Some of the older wooden statues from Mekkikattu are preserved at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi.
Through their enduring work, Pratheek and his team are preserving the centuries-old tradition of wooden idol carving, safeguarding the cultural identity of Tulu Nadu for future generations.
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