Introduction / History

Silpi is a community of skilled artisans and craftsmen. They produce sculptures, carvings, and other decorative items work using stone, wood and metal. In ancient India, Silpi community had high status because of their skilled work on Hindu temples and other religious buildings.

The Silpi community lives mainly in the southern states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. A small number are in Sri Lanka.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Hand crafted materials do not carry the same weight as they once did. The excellent skills of the Silpi community do not give them high status in today's world. There is a diminishing demand for their work because of the use of modern machinery.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Silpi people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

What Are Their Needs?

They need the Holy Spirit to open their eyes so they can see Jesus as he is.

Prayer Items

Pray for many from this unreached people group to understand both God's judgment and his majestic glory.
Pray for loving workers to go to the Silpi people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that result in thousands of new disciples who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.

Scripture Prayers for the Silpi in Sri Lanka.

References

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/one-hundred-years-of-silpi-the-artist-who-painted-like-a-sculptor/article26101998.ece
https://in.pinterest.com/vchidam/art-silpi/