Wood carvings

Endowed with rich forest cove, Andhra Pradesh is a rich resource for several types of wood carvings. Wood carving is practiced in many parts of the State. In addition to carving idols and mythological forms, the art has adapted itself to creating utility items. Simple but elegant wood carvings from Udayagiri make excellent homeware. Red Sanders and country wood are used as raw materials to make simple but useful items like combs, spoons, etc. the themes comprise of gods, goddesses, figurines, birds, animals etc.The aesthetically sculpted piece on left depicts lord Ganesha. Red Sander with its distinctive reddish brown appeal is used in the making of panels and columns. The tradition of making Raja-Rani Dolls, from Red Sander Wood locally available in and around Tirupati kept alive by a select few craftsmen, has paved the way for carving mythological figures and panels by using other available media like Neem, Venga, Mango, Teak, etc. The Doors and furniture fitted with these panels over the years received the attention of the art lovers. Growing demand for the products resulted in the migration of the srtisans from villages to cities like Bangalore and Chennai. Besides catering to the tastes of the pilgrims, the craft is also popular among architects and interior decorators. These intricate carvings are produced with the help of simple locally made traditional tools. The artisans are known for their comprehensive range of sleek and exquisitely patterned pieces of furniture, which offer comfort and add style to the home and office environment. These works of art in wood are in great demand for their utility and decorative value. The framework of these pieces of furniture, in addition to being artistic is durable, sturdy and make to last a lifetime.