Stucco Work of Tamil Nadu

Craftsman belonging to Pilamar caste in Kakampudur practice Stucco work in Tamil Nadu. They are considered as temple architects and sculptors who construct the entire temple by themselves. Stucco has been the traditional alternative to stone for sculptural raw material. A mixture of sand, cement and lime is made is prepared. It consists of three stages; first a brick structure of the required shape is created. Then in a grinding stone or an ammi a mixture of calcium, cement and sand is grounded to get a sticky consistency which is then put on the brick structure. Once it is completely dried the second stage begins where the mixture of pulverized marble powder that provides sheen to the surface is applied. Intricate work is carried out on this followed by painting with enamel colours.