A city famous for silk weaving and leather puppetry, Dharmavaram located in the Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh acts as a hub of artistry that flourished under the patronage of the Chalukyas and the Vijayanagara Empire.

 

The art of puppetry survived through narrating stories of divinity, sometimes taking the divine dimensions itself. Stories from the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata were performed which went on for several nights. The puppet shows had something for everyone - divine epics for the devout, and comic relief for the distracted. Puppetry is still practiced today, especially during festival occasions, although not many puppeteers still practice this art. Leather shadow

puppetry of Andhra Pradesh is known as Tolu Bommalata, (Tolu – leather, Bommalata – puppet dance).

 

An article on one such show.

 

Madhavapatnam, near Kakinada, D.C. Palli in Nellore district, Nimmala Kunta in Anantapur district and Narasaraopet in Guntur district are the main centres for leather puppetry..

 

The light shades act as a source of income for the artists who look to promote and spread awareness of their leather work art. 

 

The leather puppets and light shades are favoured for their transparence and jewel like glow. 

 

A craft based design project initiated by NIFT has inspired these individuals to explore their world, to read more on Leather puppetry in Andhra Pradesh please follow this here: Leather Puppetry - Andhra Pradhesh.