Wood craft of Chittoor-Andhra Pradesh

Wood craft is very ancient craft practiced in India. Though very ancient crafts are practiced in mud (terracotta ),slowly people started using wood because of its durability. I have already shared about the Woodwork of Rajasthan and Wood craft practiced in Coastal Part of Karnataka . Both are entirely different, but both are elegant and very intricate. There are hundreds of varieties of wood work practiced in India, hope to write about all in this blog :-).
In this post sharing about the wood craft of Chittoor- Andhra Pradesh. The wood products crafted in Chittoor varies from small toy to big idols and panels. Majorly its practiced in Kalahasti.The wood required is sourced from nearby forests. The wood is soft and light, and this wood is also used to make toys like kondapalli toys.
The major distinguishing feature of the wood craft of Chottoor from the wood craft of Karnataka is the color. Here you can see the difference:

Wood craft of Karnataka

Wood craft of Chittoor

In wood craft of Chittoor ,after carving the theme on wood, its polished and painted with colors to give life to it. Here are some images of wood craft of Chittoor :

Lets start from this beautifully crafted Pacnhamukhi (5 faceds ) Ganesha Idol. 

 

 Here are some wall panels and wooden idols. You can see the perfect combination of colors have brough life into the idols.
 

 Here is a panel depicting Vishnu Kalyana ( Marriage of Lord Vishnu) , before paints applied:

 Ans , at last not the least my all time favorite idol of  Lord Shri Krishna

 May be its South India or North India, always Indian culture , arts and crafts mesmerize  me. I always love to know about all the crafts of India, also to share with you all. Keep watching this space to know more about Indian crafts.

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Tholu Bommalata- hand painted leather puppets

Tholu Bommalata, (In Telugu,  Tholu -  leather, Bommalata – puppet dance), is the traditional craft of AndhraPrandesh, which was flourished under the patronage of Vijayanagar kingdom.  The bright color combination on the leather which is translucent makes it perfect for the puppet show. I never got an opportunity watch the puppet show :(

Recently in a craft fest I could capture some images of the leather puppets: Normally the puppet shows narrate the stories of Ramayana and and Mahabharata:
Every puppet show commence with  a prayer to  Lord Ganesha. This is the puppet of Ganesha, which appears on the stage during the prayer.

 Puppets of Rama and Laxmana

 The artist holding the Puppet of Sita.

These puppets are made of translucent  goat skin and painted with natural colors. Now with the decline of the puppet show, the artisans have diversified their art in making different kinds of decorative items, like lampshades, wall hangings, frames, partitions  etc.
Lampshades:

 Partition with Radha and Krishna pictures :

Wall hangings:

Now there are hardly any puppet show using these kinds of leather puppet. Thanks to the artists of Tholu Bommalata , who kept the art of making puppets alive by diversifying their art. Most of the traditional arts and crafts, if changed according to the present day needs, it will be kept alive for the coming generations.

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana