THE CRAFT
Wood Carving
From the state of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
With its vast forest resources, wood carving craft became one of the mainstays of artisans from Andhra Pradesh. Traditionally, artisans from this area are renowned for weaving traditions. They are also known for crafting intricate wooden statues of deities, mythological figurines, grand chariots, and décor items, especially those who are clustered at Madhavamala in Chittoor district. This area is also known for Tirupati and Srikalahasti pilgrimages.
Heritage Value
The state’s woodwork legacy traces back to many centuries, when wood carvings adorned temples, home and temple entrances, and chariots. Traditionally, the Acharya families of Madhavamala practiced this craft. Today, around 250 families are still engaged in the art of wood carving. The most-used wood variety is red sanders or raktachandhanam. This wood is red in colour and fire- and insect-resistant. The artists use various wood types, including local timber, white teak, neem, rosewood, mango, burgundy pink, and monkey pod. Local artisans in the village are adept at crafting wooden artworks ranging from 20-foot sculptures to smaller pieces. They use basic tools like chisel or goruli, files, drills, and nails, creating patterns with minimal machine work before polishing them. The famed Udayagiri wooden cutlery used wood from the Durgampalli forests. It's known to have a 150-year-old history.
Memory Vault
In 2022, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of Andhra Pradesh presented Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with a black wooden sculpture of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. This particular sculpture was crafted by artisans from Madhavamal.
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