THE SILAWAT
The word Silawat comes from the Sanskrit slipwat, a word used to denote a follower of the Hindu god Slip-Shastar – a deity closely linked to the art of architecture.
The Silawat of Makrana
The Silawat is a community with its origins in multiple ethnic and cultural groups, drawn together by one common factor; the profession of stonemasonry. The Silawat was once a much smaller community of groups with Indian, Arabian and Turkic ancestry, linked by the tradition of stonemasonry and building. The modern Silawat community has spread throughout India and Pakistan, expanding into new trades; a reflection of the ever-changing economic landscape.
However, in one very special place, the ancient tenets upon which the Silawat community was founded are still a fundamental part of everyday life. The city of Makrana remains a largely Silawat community who are still engaged in the traditional Silawat profession of stonemasonry.
The Silawat of Makrana have a rich tradition of working the famous marble which is mined in the region. Generations of Silawat families have built a thriving society in the Makrana region that has its foundations in the rich heritage of mining, stonemasonry, and building that originally brought the Silawat people together. The Ustadji, and the many skilled workers who collaborate with them to realise each project, are part of a unique living history.
Generations of Silawat families have built on the skills of their forefathers to further the creative potential of this most treasured natural material. Respect for the wisdom of those who have gone before and commitment to their craft underlies a thriving community of unrivaled talent and dedication. The Silawat of Makrana enjoy a living cultural heritage that is visible in their work to this day.
They are synonymous with their work; their knowledge is unrivaled and their traditions incomparable.