Banaras Stone Carving Art Shines in Delhi, Receives GI Tag and Government Recognition

• Ashok Kumar Singh, a 69-year-old Banaras craftsman, continues his family's generations-old 'Moorat Kala' (stone carving) tradition.
• The art uses soapstone from Madhya Pradesh's Khorai mine, ideal for intricate carving due to its balanced hardness.
• While machines assist, the true essence of the craft lies in hand carving, with elephants and Jaali work being highly popular.
• Women play a crucial role in cleaning, polishing, and packing, ensuring family involvement in the craft.
• Ashok Kumar Singh received a State Award in 2003-04, a GI tag in 2023, and support under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.