A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration (city/town/few adjacent villages and their adjoining areas) of units producing near similar products and facing common opportunities and threats. An artisan cluster is defined as geographically concentrated (mostly in villages/townships) household units producing handicraft/handloom products. In a typical cluster, such producers often belong to a traditional community, producing the long-established products for generations. Indeed, many artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Ratu Block Cluster:-

Ratu Block Cluster falls under Jharkhand  State in Unknown7 district.

The Ratu Block cluster is able to form 54 plus Artisans & 3 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilization gains momentum day by day.

Stone Carving:-

The art of sculpturing in stone has been passed down over centuries from generation to generation in Hoysala, a smalI town in Karnataka. The unique technique mastered over the years makes it easy to identify stones on the basis of the sound they emit when beaten. The different uses are also made clear to the sculpture where he learns to use 'male stones' for sculpting gods, 'female stones' for goddesses, and 'neutral stones' for sculpturing objects. Rules pertaining to proportions, postures, and ornamentation laid down by the Dhyanashlokas are followed.

A sketch of the proposed image is drawn on to the raw stone which has been cut in proportion. With the help of steel rods, mallets, chisels of varied sizes and files the rough stone is sculpted into a final image which is then smoothened with sandpaper and rubbed with coconut oil.

Stone Carving‘s Raw Materials:-

Basic Material : Sajjar pathar, moss agate, agate oxides.

Basic Material : White marble, sand stone, colours, file, saw, chisel, polish, hammer.

Basic Material : Green stone, multani mitti, stone slab, oil, cloth.
Decorative Material : looking glasses, shining leaves, sandpaper.
Colouring Material : water colours.

Basic Material : Soap stone, sand stone, hard stones, granite, Red sand stone

Basic Material : Variety of stones, file, saw, chisel, polish, hammer
Colouring Material : Colours black, pink, brown

Basic Material : Stone, chisels, hammer

Basic Material : Stone, colours, polish, sand paper, file, saw, chisel, hammer

Stone Carving’s Process:-

The Shilpa Shaastras or the treatise on crafts detail the measurements and techniques of sculpting, the quality of stone, its maturity, texture, colour and so on. The stone used by the sculptor is hard so that it does not lose its shape easily or chip unexpectedly. The stone should have no flaws or kalanga (stain), rekha(patch) or bindu(spot). The tools used by the sculptors are made of mild steel in various sizes. To prevent the stone from cracking from the vibration of the instrument, the image is always carved with the stone laid flat on the ground whether the posture is seated or standing.

After the figure has been carved, a ceremony called nayanonmilan is conducted and the figure gets sight, life and breath and becomes a living force. Then it is ceremoniously placed in the garbagriha or sanctum sanctorum.

Stone Carving’s Tecniques:-

The quality of stone, its maturity, texture, colour and so on. The stone used by the sculptor is hard so that it does not lose its shape easily or chip unexpectedly. The stone should have no flaws or kalanga (stain), rekha(patch) or bindu(spot). The tools used by the sculptors are made of mild steel in various sizes. To prevent the stone from cracking from the vibration of the instrument, the image is always carved with the stone laid flat on the ground whether the posture is seated or standing.

How to Reach:-

Ranchi railhead is well connected to important cities all over the country. Nearest station Hatia is a terminal station and many express trains starts from Haiti and have stop at Ranchi. Ranchi is well linked with many cities in Jharkand by state road transport corporation buses. The cities Bokaro (110 km), Chaibasa (130 km), Dhanbad (170 km), Patna (340 km) and Jamshedpur (140 km) are all connected to Ranchi. Tourist bus services are available from Kolkata to Ranchi costing about Rs 1200. Ranchi is well linked to important airports in India, including Patna, Delhi and Kolkata. Ranchi airport is located at Hinoo, nearly 7 km away from the city center. Kolkata is the nearest International airport, which is well connected to many cities in India and abroad. Kolkata is about 400 km from Ranchi and tourist pre-paid taxi charges about Rs 7500 from Kolkata to Ranchi.