The story
Kondapalli toy making is about four centuries old and is linked to artisans who migrated from Rajasthan. Artisans carve the soft local tella poniki wood, join parts with tamarind-seed paste and paint them in bright colours. Toy sets showing village life and gods are popular for the Sankranti and Dasara doll displays. Kondapalli Bommallu carry a GI tag.
In numbers
About 500 artisans from about 110 families depend on Kondapalli toy making for their livelihood (2010).
Playing safe with local craft (Deccan Herald) · 2010DC-MSME's state profile lists Kondapalli among the wooden toy manufacturing clusters of Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh State Industrial Profile 2014-15 (MSME-DI Hyderabad, DC-MSME) · 2015
GI tag
- Kondapalli BommalluApplication no. GI application no. 44Registration details of Geographical Indications (IP India GI Registry)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Festive doll sets for Sankranti and Navratri sold online
- Corporate gifts
- Toy-making workshops for tourists from Vijayawada
Problems the cluster faces
- Shortage of tella poniki wood
- Cheap imported toys
- Few young artisans
Businesses to start here
Wooden Toy Making (Lacquer Turned Toys) →Wooden Toys and Decorative Pieces →Local Handicraft and Toy Making School →