ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः ॐ श्री शिवानन्दाय नमः ॐ श्री चिदानन्दाय नमःॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः
Source of all Images in this Blog-post : Google Images : ‘Google Image Search’ will reveal the multiple sources of every single image shared here. For more details, kindly see ‘Disclaimer‘
About Lepakshi Handicrafts
Lepakshi Handicrafts, an Andhra Pradesh Government Undertaking is a treasure-trove of a fascinating range of art forms and traditional crafts, each unique in style, concept, theme, form and expression. These crafts and arts display innate flexibility and durability without exception, and maintain an enriching and endearing freshness.
Endowed with rich forests, Andhra Pradesh is a rich resource for woodcarvings, practiced in many parts of the State. In addition to carving idols and mythological forms, the art has also adapted itself to creating utility items.
The intricate depiction of gods and goddesses through various art forms and the liveliness of the art is a hallmark of Lepakshi.
Kalamkari, Udayagiri, Kondappali, brassware, red sander idols, Lepakshi is one stop destination where right from trinkets to large life-sized idols, one can witness the fine splendour of the rich artisans and craftsmen from Andhra Pradesh.
Objective of Lepakshi Handicrafts
The main objective of Lepakshi is to develop and promote handicrafts, support marketing of handicraft, establish showrooms, organize exhibitions and take up wide publicity of Handicrafts and welfare activities for the benefit of the artisans.
The promotion and development activities of Lepakshi include working with artisans for upgrading their skills, increasing production base and revival of languishing crafts and organize technical workshops to provide design and technological inputs to the artisans.
There is extensive marketing undertaken through ‘Lepakshi’ Retail Showrooms, Craft Bazaars, Exhibitions, Craft Melas and EXPOs, participation in domestic & international trade fairs as well as opening of new sales outlets etc.
There are reciprocal arrangements with other State Handicrafts Development Corporations. This has made the products of Lepakshi highly popular and there is an impressive customer patronage and demand for them.
The brand has been leveraging these unique strengths and is poised to deliver more value for the arts and crafts of Andhra Pradesh, and has been working in tandem with the government in realizing the potential for these products.
The promotion & development initiatives include training of artisans for upgrading their skills, increasing production base and revival of languishing crafts as well as providing infrastructural facilities in the form of tool, machinery& design inputs to the artisans.
Lepakshi also organizes design and technical workshops to provide design and technological inputs to the artisans and takes up publicity through Electronic and Print Media, Brochures, Hoardings, Ad. Films, Website, etc.
Lepakshi is utilizing various arenas in the domain of technology to bring more mileage to the brand and making it more appealing to the users and customers in a digital era by adopting new platforms in showcasing and also selling its impressive product line-up.
Ethnic Arts & Crafts of Andhra Pradesh
Kalamkari Prints from Machilipatnam and Pedana
Kalamkari is a highly popular form of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile and paintings, practised in Andhra Pradesh. It is a form of painting cotton fabrics with a kalam i.e. pen, which involves a sharp-pointed pierced bamboo regulating the flow of colour on the fabric.
The name originates from Persian words qalam (pen) and kari (craftmanship). Andhra Pradesh is famous all over for this form of art.
The major forms are Srikalahasthi from Chittoor district, and Machilipatnam Kalamkari of Krishna district. Machilipatnam Kalamkari involves the use of vegetable dyed block-painting of fabrics and it is produced in the town of Pedana, near Machilipatnam in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.
This form of painting was registered for geographical indication under handicraft goods. This style initially evolved during the period of Mughal Dynasty and later it was practiced by Golconda Sultanate.
There are different textile products produced from this style like bedsheets, wall hangings and clothing, curtains, saris etc.
This region in Coastal AP is renowned for producing some of the finest quality Kalamkari prints of export quality.
Crochet Work ( Lace Work ) of Narasapur
The state of Andhra Pradesh is home to numerous skills and crafts developed over generations and some of these crafts are home-based vocations like crochet lace making.
Originated in Narsapur, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Crochets are beautifully crafted with cotton thread.
Narsapur is situated on the bank of Godavari River and it is believed that the women of the farming community of this region started creating highly attractive artefacts from colourful lace, about 150 years ago.
In the year 2004, the first of its kind lace park in India was established here where thousands of crochet lace makers can market their products.
The lace work is done using thin threads and these are again woven with thin crochet needles of varying sizes.
Narsapur’s famed hand-made crochet industry produces doilies, pillow covers, cushion covers, bed spreads, table-runners, and table cloths etc. The products are available in vibrant colors like orange, green, blue, whitered, and beige.
The artefacts also vary, right from hand purses to caps, to mobile phone covers, tops and also stoles. There are also attractive lampshades and wall hangings made from lace.
The crochet lace products are also exported to countries like UK, USA, France, etc.These artistically woven lace products are gifted as souvenirs.
Applique Embroidery Work of Madanapalli
Attractive bags are always in demand. Despite advances in modern era, the customer preferences towards objects that are classy and old, are always chosen for their antiquity, unique appeal and appearance.
Hand bags, especially for women represent their special taste and therefore, they always choose bags which go down well with their attire and presence. Bags are also chosen based on the occasion.
Embroidery bags are among the most popular bags used by customers and Lepakshi handicrafts offers a wide variety of bags that are hand-made with colourful patterns, thread work, mirror works, stripes and other features.
These come in various shapes and sizes that are not only attractive but blend perfectly, according to the occasion.
The embroidery work is done by skilled men and women and usually the nomadic tribes of Banjaras, are quite skilful in creating bags of unbeatable quality and appearance.
The sheer look of these bags makes them quite appealing for those who use them, regularly and also during events like weddings, and special festivals.
The mirror works and the shape decides their purpose and Lepakshi is the destination for customers who prefer high quality hand-made bags for different purposes.
