AP Crafts Draw Global Attention at Vizag CII Summit

Andhra Pradesh’s traditional crafts on display at 31st CII Summit in Visakhapatnam are drawing the attention of international visitors. State artisans are finding opportunities to explain their work to the global audience, discuss traditions, and explore overseas orders.

For tribal artist A. Gopal, it turned out as “I don't know English, and they don't know Telugu.” However, the language barrier did not stop conversations. “In many instances, we understand each other through our body language. Without spoken language, I can explain my art to them using gestures, a process that brings me great joy. It gives me immense happiness to share this tribal art form with people from other countries,” said Gopal.

At stalls displaying Savara Adivasi paintings, leather puppets and Kondapalli toys, visitors are seeking details about materials, techniques, and traditions behind the crafts. Some are collecting artisans’ phone numbers and social media handles. They are negotiating online orders and overseas shipping.

Artist Gopal said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and union minister Piyush Goyal tried their hand at drawing at his stall during their visit on the first day.

B. Nagababu, who has set up a Kondapalli toys stall, recorded sales of ₹15,000 on the first day itself. Dancing dolls and Dashavataram sets depicting the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu are among the items sold.

Visitors have been asking about Tella Poniki, the soft wood used to make the toys, and the preparation of colours. Nagababu said he valued the time international visitors spend observing the craftsmanship and their interest in placing orders from abroad.

Kondapalli toys from NTR district depict village life, mythology, and festive traditions through colourful, hand-carved wooden figures. Questions about their crafting methods are giving artisans an opportunity to explain the work behind the finished products.

Savara Adivasi art stall has recorded sales of more than ₹5,000 on the first day, with keychains and bookmarks drawing particular interest. Savara Adivasi paintings, associated with the indigenous Savara community of Parvathipuram Manyam district, use intricate linear motifs to depict nature, rituals, harvests, and everyday life.

Leather puppetry artisan Sinde Shiva said foreign visitors have shown interest in his decorative lights, keychains, and dancing leather puppets depicting mythological characters. He said the platform has given him international recognition, which mattered more to him than sales volume.

The craft, known as Tholubommalata, uses translucent leather that is cut, perforated and painted to create puppets traditionally used in shadow theatre to narrate Indian epics.

Pen Kalamkari is drawing the attention of Indian delegates. The hand-painted textile tradition uses a bamboo pen and natural vegetable dyes to create motifs drawn from mythology, nature, and sacred traditions.

For the artisans, the summit is providing an opportunity to reach visitors beyond the domestic market. There are inquiries about overseas orders and delivery, which indicate prospects of contacts that could continue after the event.