Every civilization leaves behind its voice, not always written in books, but often carved in stone. Long before alphabets took shape, humans spoke through chisels and hammers, telling their stories on cave walls, monuments, and mountains. Stone carving is not just an art; it is memory preserved in the hardest of materials. Today, in an age where digital screens and artificial intelligence dominate, this ancient craft still survives—breathing life through the hands of artists who shape raw stone into timeless beauty.
Stone carving or sculpture making is an age-old art that is also one of the earliest forms of communication humans used. It is also one of the major factors for the flow of cultures and traditions through generations. Before words were written on paper, before books filled libraries, people carved their thoughts on stones. From ancient cave walls to grand mountains, stones have carried the story of civilizations. In today's digital era, where artificial intelligence has become a threat to artists, this timeless art form still speaks to us, not through old ruins alone, but through the hands of artists who shape raw stones into beauty.
At LPU, the stone carving workshop brings back this ancient dialogue, inviting unknown faces from around the country whose skills can't be described in words. LPU invites 10 artists from around the country, including Punjab, Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Hyderabad, and Delhi, in order to teach students about what it actually takes. The patience, strength, creativity, and consistency are hidden in every strike of the chisel.
Let's meet—Mr. Dharam Netam, an artist from Chhattisgarh currently living in Hyderabad, has many years of experience as a sculptor and has worked on more than 500 sculptures in his career, along with his team, including sculptures over 25 feet tall. He was always intrigued by the idea of sculpting and studied fine arts, ultimately choosing it as a career. He believes that “the artist might die, but this art will stay alive forever.” His words are true yet touching, reminding us that sculpture has not only a rich past but also a powerful role in keeping our history alive.
The sculpture, as you can see in the picture, shows two giant hands rising from the ground. The hand on the left is meant to look like a robotic one, while the hand on the right resembles a human hand. Together, they hold a wheel on top, symbolizing the partnership of science and humanity. His vision is clear—AI and humans must not be seen as rivals but as companions, working hand in hand to move the wheel of life forward. By carving this bond into stone, he beautifully shows how progress and tradition can exist together.
What is more fascinating about this experience is that the workshop gave all the students a chance to see a sculptural piece come alive, piece by piece, each day. Students also got to witness the aspect of patience, precision, and perhaps even countless hours of work that go into making a piece of art like this. It sort of feels like you are watching history happen in slow motion, and instead of written words on a page, it is a stone being carved by a chisel.
When asked why he believes workshops like this should happen for fine arts students, Mr. Netam shared something deeply insightful. He said, “It is important to organize such types of workshops so that students learn about the actual process behind the making of sculptures—how they achieve such forms and how they are made—so that students gain confidence in themselves that they can do it, no matter how tall or heavy the stone is.”
His words carry both wisdom and encouragement. For many students, sculpture may appear too complex or overwhelming, but seeing experienced artists work in front of them makes the process real, approachable, and inspiring. It reminds them that art is not just about talent—it is also about patience, discipline, and the courage to strike the first blow on an untouched stone.
Then he shared the words that I took with me long after the conversation: “The artist might die, but this art will stay alive forever.”
This was more than a sentence; it felt like some kind of truth literally carved in stone. There are artists who may rise and fall, but the space that was formed by a chisel will mark and leave signs shouting across centuries. As I stood next to him, watching him carve a sculpture that was still in the making, I saw that stone carving is very much alive—alive in hammer strikes, alive in the details that have stories to tell, and alive in the hands of people who can't help but refuse to silence history.
I got the chance to sit with Mr. Dharam Netam to hear his journey and recite his story through this blog. Listening to him, I realized that stone carving is not only about creating sculptures—it is about keeping history alive and giving voice to the silent. His words, “The artist might die, but this art will live forever,” echo with truth.
As I sat there and witnessed him creating a sculpture, fusing AI with nature, I felt a subdued reminder that art will always occupy space and time, regardless of the era. The tools may be old; the stone may be heavy, but the spirit of art is light, eternal, and unmovable.
See more of Mr. Dharam Netam's work on his social media handle—dharamnetam20