THE CRAFT
Nimmalakunta Leather Craft
From the state of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Leather puppetry, known as tholu bommalata, is a popular folk art in Andhra Pradesh. It involves leather puppets to depict scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata on a thin white cloth, lit from behind by a bulb or oil lamp. Skilled artisans from Nimmalakunta in Anantapur district and Narsaraopet in Guntur district create these puppets. Their subjects include characters like Lord Ram, King Raavan, Ganesha, jesters, chariots, and horses. .
Heritage Value
The art form flourished in the 16th century under the patronage of Vijayanagara rulers. The Killekyatha and Bangarakka communities are considered masters of this craft. Earlier, they migrated from Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh. Skilled hands are needed for both puppet manipulation and puppet-making. Currently, around 60 families preserve and practice this traditional art form.
The intricate patterns on the puppets resemble those found in Kalamkari textiles. The design is sketched on translucent goat leather followed by perforations. Various tools such as brushes, ari needle, blades, punch sodit, chiru, rekini, manal, and neta are used to craft lifelike puppets. The artists paint both sides with waterproof drawing ink, vegetable colours, and natural dyes to enhance their visibility when projected. They are ornately decorated, adding to their visual appeal. To ensure stability and mobility, the puppet is placed between two bamboo splits. The puppets can range from 3 to 6 feet in size.
Today, this art form has moved beyond the stage. It's part of homes, transforming into around 150 different decorative items. These include lamp shades, paintings, wall hangings, partitions, and contemporary puppets.
The craft was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008.
The intricate patterns on the puppets resemble those found in Kalamkari textiles. The design is sketched on translucent goat leather followed by perforations. Various tools such as brushes, ari needle, blades, punch sodit, chiru, rekini, manal, and neta are used to craft lifelike puppets. The artists paint both sides with waterproof drawing ink, vegetable colours, and natural dyes to enhance their visibility when projected. They are ornately decorated, adding to their visual appeal. To ensure stability and mobility, the puppet is placed between two bamboo splits. The puppets can range from 3 to 6 feet in size.
Today, this art form has moved beyond the stage. It's part of homes, transforming into around 150 different decorative items. These include lamp shades, paintings, wall hangings, partitions, and contemporary puppets.
The craft was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008.
Memory Vault
Interior designer Ameet Mirpuri collaborated with local artisans to design a Tholu Bommalata-themed room at the Andhra Art and Craft Hotel in Vishakhapatnam. It features theatre-inspired headboards, curtains, and lights, with artworks combining relief work and acrylic on canvas.
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