The dividing line between art and craft in Tamilnadu is not easily discernible. With an uninterrupted classical heritage, its craft forms were transformed into works of art - the village terracottas became the great bronzes, the wood carvings became splendid monuments in stone. Unlike other parts of India, Tamilnadu's geographic location in the far south protected it from extraneous influences and made for a certain insularity of culture which strengthened the styles from within.