Vijayawada: The Gandhi Shilp Bazaar and Lepakshi Handicraft Design Competition began in Vijayawada this week, featuring the works of 40 artisans and weavers from across the country. The week-long event, held at Amma Kalyana Mandapam, is attracting large crowds and highlighting India’s diverse craft traditions.The exhibition displays a wide range of handmade works, including wood carvings, crochet lace, Thanjavur paintings, leather puppets, rugs, durries, and imitation jewellery. One of the participants, V Chinna Anjaneyulu, a leather puppet artisan from Narasaraopet, said: “Our craft is our identity and events like this give us hope to keep it alive.”A key highlight of the expo is the Lepakshi Handicraft Design Competition Exhibition, which focuses on innovation within traditional crafts. Entries from five categories — Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, wood carving, leather puppets, and Kalamkari block printing — are being judged by experts from the National Institute of Design (NID), the Craft Council, DC Handicrafts, and Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation (APHDC). Winners will be announced on Sept 12, with gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with cash prizes worth Rs 2.5 lakh, to be presented to the top artisans.Speaking at the event, special chief secretary, handlooms & textiles, industries and commerce department R P Sisodiya praised the initiative for both preserving heritage and opening new opportunities. “Every handcrafted piece carries the story of our culture, tradition, and resilience. It is our duty to preserve and promote these crafts for future generations,” he said, encouraging youth to explore traditional skills.APHDC vice chairman and managing director Vishwa Manoharan described the exhibition as a landmark effort to connect artisans with society and instil renewed pride in Andhra Pradesh’s craft heritage.
