Handicrafts Reflect Culture, Tradition, and Resilience: Special Chief Secretary

Rapid Summary

• Special Chief Secretary, Handlooms and Textiles R.P. Sisodiya visited the ongoing Gandhi Shilp Bazaar at amma Kalayana Mandapam in Vijayawada on September 10.
• The event promotes India’s living heritage, artisan skills, and new avenues for their recognition, marketing, and financial empowerment.
• The week-long exhibition features nearly 40 master artisans displaying works such as wood carvings, crochet lace, thanjavur paintings, leather puppets, rugs, durries and imitation jewelry.
• A highlight is the Lepakshi Handicraft Design Competition showcasing crafts like Kondapalli toys, etikoppaka products, kalamkari block printing; judged by experts from institutions including the National Institute of Design.
• Cash awards totaling ₹2.5 lakh along with gold/silver/bronze medals are part of the competition prize structure; the award ceremony is scheduled for September 12.
• APHDC vice-chairman Vishwa Manoharan emphasized reconnecting artisans with society while preserving traditional crafts.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The Gandhi Shilp Bazaar represents an crucial initiative to promote traditional handicrafts amidst modernization pressures faced by India’s artisanal communities. Events that emphasize craftsmanship boost artisan visibility while fostering pride in cultural heritage-a key component for intergenerational sustainability of local art forms such as Kondapalli toys or Kalamkari printing techniques showcased here. by engaging established organizations like APHDC and expert judges from reputed national bodies like NID for quality validation via competitions or exhibits-benchmark standards improve inspiring art younger population awareness rejuvenation-loop

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