Diya Handicrafts
Master Woodcraft of Kovalam • Kerala
Preparing authentic temple & devotional sculptures...
Preserving centuries of sacred South Indian woodcarving heritage. Each divine idol is shaped with reverence, chiselled by hand.
Preserving centuries of sacred South Indian woodcarving heritage. Each divine idol is shaped with reverence, chiselled by hand.
Master Craftsman Legacy
Meet Master Artisan
Shri Nagappan
Shri Nagappan at Work
Carving a monumental sanctum sculpture with mallet and chisel
With more than four decades of dedicated mastery, Shri Nagappan is one of Kerala's most revered woodcraft sculptors. Trained in the strict traditional canons of the Shilpa Shastras, his hands breathe life, compassion, and divine rhythm into timber.
In our atelier at Vellar, Kovalam, near the sacred coast of God's Own Country, Shri Nagappan guides a family of skilled carvers. Every posture—from the graceful crossed-leg tribhanga of Krishna Venugopala to the compassionate drapery of Mother Mary and the monumental majesty of Lord Padmanabha in Anantha Shayanam—is carved with manual chisels, without automated machines or synthetic plastics.
40+
Years of Mastery
100%
Hand-Chiselled
35+
Countries Delivered
Patronage & Living Heritage
Valued Patronage: Shri Nagappan with Superstar Sri Mohanlal
Legendary Malayalam cinema superstar Sri Mohanlal is a valued patron of Diya Handicrafts and great art lover, commissioning and treasuring bespoke sanctum wood sculptures crafted under the direct chisel of Master Artisan Shri Nagappan.
Dasavataram (4)
Dasavataram Statue• Pure Seasoned Teak Wood
Monumental Dasavataram Sculpture
Master Artisan Shri Nagappan with celebrated Malayalam movie superstar Sri Mohanlal while he is receiving the monumental Dasavataram craft work.
This monumental sculpture depicts the ten divine incarnations (Dasavatara) of Lord Vishnu, intricately chiseled beneath the majestic seven-hooded canopy of divine serpent Sheshanaga.
Viswaroopam (5)
Viswaroopam Statue• Sacred Kumbil & Hardwood
Cosmic Viswaroopam Masterpiece
Master Artisan Shri Nagappan standing with Sri Mohanlal alongside the monumental Viswaroopam cosmic sculpture.
Capturing the awe-inspiring cosmic form (Vishwaroopa Darshanam) revealed in the Bhagavad Gita, this towering sanctum creation features multiple tiers of divine manifestations, celestial chariots, and sacred iconography.
Lord Shiva (6)
+1 View Available
Lord Shiva Statue• Sacred White Wood (Kumbil)
Sacred Lord Shiva Sanctorum
Master Artisan Shri Nagappan and Sri Mohanlal with the majestic four-armed Lord Shiva sculpture, seated in profound meditative grace.
Sculpted according to strict Shilpa Shastra proportions, Mahadeva is seated in serene Padmasana on an ornate double-lotus pedestal, holding sacred amrit kalashas with divine poise.
Living Heritage & Sacred Art
“Master Shri Nagappan's chisel channels timeless spirituality into wood.”
Shri Mohanlal has personally commissioned multiple landmark masterworks from Diya Handicrafts, celebrating traditional Kerala craftsmanship and elevating local temple artisans to international acclaim.
Valued Patron & Art Lover
Material Authenticity
Our Sacred Timber Collection
We exclusively select sustainable, ethically harvested woods that honor centuries of South Indian craft tradition.
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White Wood (Kumbil)
Gmelina arborea • Sacred Kerala White Wood
White Wood (Kumbil / Gmelina arborea) is a sacred, fragrant wood cherished in South India for its light golden-ivory tone, smooth velvety grain, and exceptional resistance to warping. Ideal for serene devotional idols and graceful home decor.
Best For: Serene devotional figures (Mother Mary, Baby Jesus, Swami Ayyappa), light contemporary aesthetics.
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Solid Kerala Teak
Tectona grandis • Nilambur & Western Ghats Teak
Solid Kerala Teak (Tectona grandis) is renowned worldwide for its deep golden-brown amber hues, dense protective natural oils, and legendary durability that lasts across generations.
Best For: Ganesha, Shiva Nataraja, Wooden Crucifixes, Elephants, Houseboats, and monumental temple idols up to 10 feet.
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Kerala Rosewood (Eetti)
Dalbergia latifolia • Deep Violet-Chocolate Grain
Kerala Rosewood (Eetti) displays rich, chocolate-purple swirling grains and heavyweight density, prized for heirloom luxury carving and temple statues.
Best For: Heirloom temple commissions, Anantha Shayanam Padmanabha, and luxury architectural carved wall panels.
Visit Our Kovalam Showroom
Experience the Craft in Vellar, Kovalam
Visiting Kerala? Come observe the master carvers in action, feel the natural fragrance of seasoned wood, and select your sacred sculpture in person.