PUPPETS, TOYS AND DOLLS
Significance : Depict The Myriad Forms Of Life.
Production Centres : Kondapalli village, 16-km From Vijayawada For Kondapalli Dolls, Dharmarao
Cheruvupalli In Nellore District, Nammalakunta In Anantapur District & Narasaraopet In Guntur District For Leather puppets
Toys and Dolls have their own significance
in depicting the myriad forms of life, the people, their occupations,
their recreations, their happiness, sorrow etc. Putting them together can
give us a miniature world in its permanence, as art is everlasting. In
Andhra Pradesh, the Kondapalli dolls and
the leather puppets are the basic forms, the others being Tirupati dolls,
Nirmal toys and Etikoppaka dolls.
Kondapalli Dolls:
Kondapalli
village, 16-km from Vijayawada,
is the production centre for the famous Kondapalli dolls, made with a
lightwood called 'Poniki'. This is a simple, yet expressive art form of
the Andhrapradesh.
A warm and realistic style is used to depict themes centred around rural
life, mythological characters, animals, birds and occupations - all in a
combination of bright colours.
This art form has found many admirers in foreign countries. Practised by
the local artisans, involving the entire family, this art is like a
cottage industry. Since, the toys are priced low, they occupy a pride of
place among the display items at many homes during Dasara and
Sankranti
festivals.
The wood is first seasoned, and then cut to the size of the toy. The
contours are carved and every organ of the toy is separately joined with
the body with an adhesive paste of tamarind seeds. The toy is then coated
with lime glue.
The next stage is to paint the toy with brushes made of goat's hair. This
traditional art has been handed down to successive generations and
continues to be the main livelihood of the people of Kondapalli. The style
is realistic. The lightweight Kondapalli toys are colourful wooden
creations with high expressiveness and can adorn and further decorate any
interior.
Leather Puppets:
Another
craft is the making of leather puppets. Leather puppets are a popular
means of rural entertainment through the ages. Leather puppet making is a
craft that has carved out a niche for itself in the state. The puppets of
mythological figures are used to enact shadow plays, popularly called
'Tolubommalata'.
The leather puppets are made of buffalo or sheep hide, they are later
bleached with local paints. Gods, Horses, elephants, warriors, fruits,
cows, birds, deers are the popular figures made. Dharmarao Cheruvupalli in
Nellore district, Nammalakunta in
Anantapur district and
Narasaraopet in Guntur district are
the main centres for the production of leather puppets.
WHERE TO SHOP
|
