Handicrafts village to come up at Srikalahasti

Tirupati: The handicrafts of Kalamkari and woodcarving made in Srikalahasti which have gained international reputation will get a major boost soon once the proposed 'Handicrafts Village' construction is completed.

The project was taken up following an initiative by the Central government's Ministry of Textiles at an estimated cost of Rs 9.55 crore.

Srikalahasti MLA B Madhusudan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the project before lockdown and has been paying attention on its completion. But the works could not be taken up thereafter with the spread of Covid-19 and lockdown. Roads and Buildings Department officials have completed the tender process and started construction works now.

This village will provide a platform for the artisans to make their products, to get trained on latest techniques and an emporium to sell their items. The woodcarvings and Kalamkari work of the artisans in this area are known for their beauty and quality and the artisans have won many accolades which bagged them even national awards.

They have been making items ranging from Rs 150 to Rs 10 lakh and more but could not market them on their own and were seeking government's cooperation for long to keep the art form alive. The proposed project will help them in this direction.

Speaking to The Hans India, Executive Engineer of R & B Y Sahadeva Reddy has said that it was proposed to build three work sheds at the handicrafts village located on the Tirupati–Srikalahasti highway near AP Tourism Haritha Hotel.

Each work shed will facilitate seven artisans to work. To make them sell their products, an emporium with three blocks will be constructed with each block having 10 shops.

Further, to train the artisans on latest techniques and keep them updated a training centre will also come up there. It can train 50-60 artisans at a time. Now the work sheds are being constructed and the whole project is expected to be completed by March 2021, he added.

The local artisans were of the view that their products will get more attention from the visitors once this village is completed. Apart from Srikalahasti, Madhavamala, Karlapudi and Pallamala areas are known for handicrafts. It is expected that even the famed products from western mandals can be brought to this handicrafts village to make them available for visitors.