Nellore: While even small towns like Pulivendula are having Shilparamam, the project is ailing in Nellore city due to lack of interest among the elected representatives for the initiative that eminently helps artisans.
According to tourism officials, Shilparamam literally translates into Crafts Village.
Shilparamam seeks to keep crafts relevant to the people in general, so that these, as also the culture, can form a part of their daily life. More so to artisans, for whom crafts are more than a livelihood- they are a way of life to them.
Shilparamam facilities are organised as experiential bazaars, with a view to creating a market for traditional weaves, arts and crafts of Andhra Pradesh in an ethnic, artistically evocative atmosphere.
They are meant to be a nucleus of Andhra Pradesh culture as well as showcase the varied artisanal traditions of handlooms and handicrafts that represent different parts of India.
Shilparamams also facilitate technical/ marketing/ development/ skill upgradation or any other training to craftsmen of any establishment or enterprise of any description. This is likely to facilitate or accelerate the development of arts & crafts.
The facilities in Shilparamam include Handicrafts Bazar, accommodation for tourists, an open air auditorium, function halls and boating with landscaping.
A Shilparamam proposed by APTDC at Bujabuja Nellore near Nellore city at the instance of then minister Anam Ramanarayana came to a halt before 2014 -- after 50 percent of the works were completed. This followed a court order based on a petition that said the area allotted for this was a waterbody.
Unfortunately, the TD government and the present YSRC government ignored the project. It would have been a reality if alternative land was allotted for the project.
Sources in the administration said Shilparamam can be sanctioned for Nellore irrespective of a condition that the city that houses it should have a minimum population of 10-lakh.“It will be a boon to artisans as well as the people of Nellore City. They can spend their weekends there with their family. There are no entertainment avenues other than cinema halls in the city,” a tourism official said.
