Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporium– bringing fore A.P’s rich handicraft tradition

India is a land blessed with a rich and colourful tradition and culture, which is described as a wonder to behold, a mosaic, which is an amalgamation of many different hues. It is a veritable world in itself and one, which represents a truly exotic mix of charm and magic, which can sweep even the bitterest of Indian critics. In fact, India’s culture is known to have no exact date of origin and is rated as old as mankind itself. The developed West may be developed in the materialistic way of life, but it is not a patch on India’s rich cultural heritage and tradition. India’s strength lies in its rich and varied spiritual and artistic tradition. Moreover, mind it both have withstood the ravages of time with tremendous fortitude and élan.

Indian Handicrafts are reputed for their beauty, tradition, and artistry. Among its states, Andhra Pradesh holds the pride place by possessing the most handicraft varieties and employing an estimated 2,50,000 artisans who produce the best handicraft designs which can floor even the most bitter rivals in the field. Most of these artists belong to backward classes, who carried the skills from their forefathers.

Brief History

It was way back in the year 1982 that AP went for the formation of "A.P Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd", whose primary goal is to promote, develop and market the artistic handicrafts and preserve the rich and varied traditional character of the state’s handicrafts. It was done so with a paid up share capital of Rs. 150.36 lakhs from the State Government and Rs. 50 lakhs from the Central Government.

Towards this end, the Corporation aims to impart training to perk up further production of certain crafts, which are in demand and to provide morale boosting support to those, which are languishing for want of recognition. It also helps the artisans in the design, advises technically, and helps in marketing their products through its network "Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporia". It must also be said to the credit of the craftsmen that they have done a fine job of adjusting to new realities, technologies, ideas and attitudes bringing in its wake changes in their tastes, habits and lifestyles. The result is a blend of exquisite and breathtaking creativeness and ingenuity resulting in truly exquisite works of arts. In addition, these arts have transcended barriers of geographical boundaries. A whiff of fresh and aromatic breath of air swishes through surroundings thereby bringing in its wake a unique experience.

The Secret of Lepakshi Logo

The name ‘Lepakshi’ relates to a famous temple town of Andhra Pradesh, which has its roots in the Vijayanagram district. It achieved lots of success during the dynasty period of Vizzys. As such, it has been chosen as the name for marketing the state’s rich handicrafts. The word Lepakshi in Telugu language means a Bird with painted eye and the very same bird has been chosen to be the logo of the Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporia.

Goals

The Corporation’s motto is to keep alive the rich tradition of the state’s handicrafts and keep it free from the prying eyes of exploiters such as the middlemen and traders. In the bargain, it plays the role of a link-up between the craft lovers and the craft persons and offers a decent and fair remuneration to both. The Corporation has started marketing artisans’ products at competitive prices, which is improving the artisans’ welfare.

The products churned out from the dexterity fingers of the artisans are marketed and sold through a network of 15 sales emporia of which 13 of them are in Andhra Pradesh and 2 outside the state. The aim is to sell as much quality handicrafts as possible at affordable rates and thereby rake in adequate revenues. It also conducts 30 to 40 exhibitions all over the nation in the bargain expose the wares to a wider audience and giving a fillip to the sales figures and business expansion.

Products

Nirmal Artware

The name is taken after a famous village ‘Nirmal’. The art is perfected by a group of artisans ‘Naqash’, and has a rich history, which goes back to patronisation by the Mughal rulers of the 14^th century. This art had created a base in Hyderabad in the late fifties, thanks to an enterprising lady woman Ms Lady Hydery, and today work in the Nirmal Industry (a unit managed by the Corporation)

The products, weaved by the nimble fingers of the artisans, encompasses various hues and range from portraits to paintings to household and office decorative and furniture to Rajasthani and French style Sofa-sets, partition screens, Rocking Chairs, Trolleys, Deewan, etc. In addition, artisans also churn out vases, lampshades, trays, cigar boxes and so on.

Bidri

With its origin in Persia, it entered first Bidar District (Karnataka) and then Hyderabad. The contents which goes into the development of this craft are an alloy of copper and zinc in 1:16 proportions. Molten alloy is poured in a mould to get that exact shape followed by filing plus engraving work as per the design. Then comes the drawing of thin strings of silver in different lengths along the design.. Finally the article getsis filed and oxidised to complete the final product. The colour of the final product is jet black except for its inlay being silver.

The craft comes in different categories like vases, jars, cigar boxes, Shirt and Coat Buttons, Ear studs, Ear hangings, Paper cutters, Ash Trays, Old Fort Buildings, Pendants and Plates/ Trays.

The artisans are well equipped to produce any item as per customer’s specifications of design and shape.

Filigree

This is the product of silversmiths from Karimnagar district. and is silver in colourSilver in colour it is a marvel, a touch of class oozes from the product. And what makes it unique is that each and every piece looks different in appearance and delicate in touch. With their magic touch, the silversmiths are able to bring together thin strips of fine silver into zigzag patterns and loops putting it across designs formed by thicker silver strips. To give the finishing touch, the strips and fine silver are swiftly soldered in a deft manner without causing any mishap to the Trellis like Filigree pattern.

Filigree is available as leaves, flowers, trees, animals, and birds.

Toys and Dolls

Artisans from Nirmal, Erikopakka and Kondapalli villages are renowned for their marvellous creations of toys and dolls. Nirmal artisans produce various forms of animals, birds, fruits, and vegetables using Puniki wood. They use enamel colours to paint the entire dress-up producing a product of class.

Kondapalli artisans came out with human figures of various occupations in their villages, birds, animals and mythological figures from India’s great epics. They use Puniki wood and paint various hues with watercolours.

Erikoppaka artisans use Lacquer colours to produce toys and dolls.

Leather Lamp Shades

This product comes from the artisans of Nimmalkunta village who are descended from Marthwada district of Maharashtra. Superb Lamp shades of different shapes, sizes and designs and inspired by epic figures like Mahabharata, etc are the contribution of these craftsmen. Leather Puppets --which catches the eye from these artisans-- doubles up as wall decorative and are made of parchment leather with fine perforations and painted in various colours in an intrinsic manner.

Durries

Warangal artisans are famous for producing durries with their nimble touch. The designs are used in tie and dye, interlock, Jacquand, Lahari, Sitammajada, Mogga, Diamond Fish, Kamal, Dilkush, etc. The product is well received and has a good market both within and outside India.

Kalamkari

Kalamkari (working with a pen) is used as a painting on cloth with the help of vegetable dyes. It is a delicate product with a lot of effort going into the same, fifteen stages in all and the colours used are red, yellow, maroon, indigo blue and so on. The outlay of the product is done with sharpened wooden stick after which colours are used to give that exotic touch. Kalamkari comes in wall decorative, saris, cushions and others of such ilk each one of them being painted in attractive colours. Teak wood blocks in intricate traditional designs are used to print and then vegetable dyes are pressed on the cloth to get a clear-cut design on the cloth, table and bed linen, saris and other dress material and scarves.

Banjara Embroidery

These impressive embroidery patterns are from women tribal folks of Sugalis and Banjaras from Hyderabad and Chittoor districts. The cloth products contain mirrors and beads of different designs and colours.

With the help of mirrors and beads of different designs and sizes products in cloth of rich artistry and in various colours come out from this highly talented artisans. Bed covers, table cloths, wall decorative, cushion covers, dress sets, pouches and so on are some of the items which falls under this category.

Training Programme

The Corporation has a well-thought out programme. It supports handicrafts production which are not in tune with demand. These programmes got a fair amount of success. . Crafts such as Bidri, Kalamkari, Leather puppets, Nirmal Painting and so on are being given a fillip and trainees are being imparted with suitable training. Their products are being marketed at a Post Training facility provided their products are of good quality.

The Corporation also holds periodic training and Design workshops with the sole motivation of developing new designs and the same is done with help of "Research and Design Institute", Bangalore. A good example has been a training-cum-Design workshop at Nimmalakunta Village of Anantapur district, AP, where the Leather Puppetry artisans were encouraged to produce Lampshades and other new varieties.

Welfare Programmes

The Corporation is also into the implementation of several welfare schemes, which aim at improving the social aspects of the artisans. A good example is House-cum-work sheds, which aims at providing houses for the artisans.

It also encourages artisans by way of awards, the same is given to those who impress with their skills at both state and central level meets.

It is also publicising artisans' products in both print and electronic media and highlights the remarkable hidden talents of the artisans; this acts as a morale booster and perks up their spirits.

Corporate Office

Lepakshi

Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd

‘Hasthakala Bhavan’, Musheerabad, Hyderabad – 500 020

Telex: 7619560 Tel: 7616461 E-Mail: info@lepakshihandicrafts.gov.in

Website: http://lepakshihandicrafts.gov.in

Timings- 10 AM To 8 PM ( Sunday is a Holiday)

Addresses of Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporia

Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporium

Minerva Complex, S D Road, Secunderabad - 500020 Phone: 7668178

Gunfoundry, Hyderabad – 500001 Phones: 040-3235028/3212902

Minerva Complex, S D Road, Secunderabad - 500020 Phone: 7668178

Hasthakalabhavan, Musheerabad, Hyderabad - 500020 Phone: 7668178

Nirmal Industry, Musheerabad, Hyderabad -500020 Phone: 761008

Airport, Begumpet, Hyderabad

Proddunari Complex, Shop No 16,17 & 18, Hanamkonda, Warangal-1 Phone: 08712-577727

Gandhi Nagar, Vijayawada - 520003 Phone: 0866-573129

29-1-7, G T Road, Rajahmundry-533104 Phone: 0883-475757

Main Road, Viskhapatnam-530002 Phone: 0891-508037

Tirumala Hills (Phone:08574-77246)

Puttaparthy, Anantapur District (Phone: 08555-87643)

B-6, State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Marg, New Delhi-110001, Phone: 011-3363892,3368205 Tel Fax: 011-3363892

F-17, CIT, Complex, Gariahat, Calcutta- 700068 Phone: 033-4731625