In the upcoming Godavari Maha Pushkarams the government has made “special arrangements for puppet shows” –
Development of handicraft tourism along the lines of eco-tourism and temple tourism- Cluster-wise measures to protect the health of artisans
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s announcement on ‘Andhra Pradesh Handicraft Festival 2026’.
July 7th,,Bharat News
NATIONAL
(Five-Star Rated News Service by Google)
AMARAVATI – Raja Pentapati- Bureau Chief
AP State Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has made it clear that steps will be taken to develop handicraft tourism on the lines of eco-tourism and temple tourism. He said that steps will be taken so that the artist who created the artwork gets that recognition. He directed the officials to make special documentaries to introduce the hardships of the artists to the world.
He promised to set up common facility centers in clusters under the VB Ji Ram Ji scheme. He assured that all possible steps will be taken to preserve handicrafts. He suggested that medical camps should be organized continuously in clusters to protect the health of the artisans.
Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the ‘Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Festival 2026’ organized by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation (Lepakshi). In this festival organized at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada on Tuesday, art forms produced by famous handicraftsmen from various parts of the state were put on display.
On this occasion, he watched the Ravana Samhara Ghattam from the Ramayana performed by puppeteers. He interacted with the artists and appreciated their skill. He inquired about the achievements and sorrows of the artists. He gave instructions to the officials on the spot to provide them with necessary facilities.
As the first step in the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Festival, Pawan Kalyan visited the stall set up by puppeteers from Kakinada. He examined the art forms of Ramayana, Bharata and Bhagavata created in a way that conveys the superiority of Sanatana Dharma.
The artists explained that their families, who have been making a living by relying on puppetry for generations, have now reached a stage of giving international level performances. They promised to organize a special puppet show in the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams to showcase the excellence of puppetry.
They visited the wooden puppet stall created by Tirupati wood carving artists and praised the artists who created wonderful works of art.
At the Srikalahasti Kalankari textile stall, the fabrics and blankets created with pen Kalankari art impressed the visitors. Pawan suggested that the officials create video documentaries so that everyone can know the hardships of Kalankari handloom artists.
The scientific wooden puppet stall that runs without the help of batteries, a telescope made of wood and other products were viewed with interest. It was suggested that these scientific puppets be installed in every school under the jurisdiction of the panchayats. He suggested that our arts should be recognized internationally and that artists should be respected like Japan.
Every artist should concentrate on creating that art and health problems arise. He suggested that cluster-wise measures should be taken to protect the health of artisans.
Special training programs have been organized for Eluru carpet artists and Anantapur banana artists, 30 artists each will be selected and trained for two months. The renovated Lepakshi showrooms in Guntur and Kakinada and the newly established showroom at Rajamahendravaram airport were virtually inaugurated. Pawan Kalyan launched the Lepakshi e-commerce app from the Hastakala Mahotsavam venue.
Swacha Andhra Pradesh
