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Scorching heat, tangy avakkai,and the histrionic NTR are what one associates with Andhra Pradesh. It also has a rich cultural tradition to boast off.
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ANDHRA PRADESH, the mention of this state immediately evokes memories of Tirupati, spicy food, and an upcoming IT corridor; but then, it is also home to characteristically beautiful and ancient handicrafts.
What was most striking at the Lepakshi Heritage collection of handicrafts and handlooms from Andhra Pradesh, held at the Chandra Sagar Kalyana Mantapa, Jayanagar, between March 9-18, was the colour, life, and vigour in the crafts displayed. The exhibition, organised by Lepakshi, a Government of Andhra Pradesh undertaking, symbolised the richness and variety of our Indian arts.
There were displays of indigenous Kondapally toys, exquisite pottery items, intricate leather lampshades, wall hangings, and breathtaking woodcraft.
There were textiles from Gadwal, Madanapalli, Mangalagiri, and Venkatagiri sarees (to name just a few), in addition to bedspreads and dress materials.
At the entrance was an impressive array of pots. Ratnashekhar, an artisan from Madanapalli, Chittoor District, stood by his handiwork proudly. The next stall displayed celestial figures in natural shades of wood and rosewood. Venkatraman from Nimmalakunta village, Anantpur District, displayed toys and handmade leather lampshades.
He has been in the leather and puppet crafts for the last 18 years. The banner above the stall that sold embroidered napkins and hand towels read `CSI Women's Industrial School, Palamner, AP'. The white napkins, neatly cross-stitched with colorful threads had different motifs: women at work, floral designs, and popular patterns you see in any typical cross-stitch book. These napkins have been made by girls who are middle-school drop outs, explained Prema Christian, the director of the Industrial School in Chittoor district. ''We want to help these women financially, and also boost their confidence,'' she said, with a warm and motherly beam.
Organisers make sure that such exhibitions are marked by a certain degree of celebration and festivity. One cannot overlook the fact that folk forms have now been brought to urban spaces and have acquired the fashionable tag. But does the artisan benefit at all?
MEERA GUTHI
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