Q3. Find out about the history of any craft around the area you lived. You may wish to know about
the community of craftsmen, the changes in the techniques they use and the markets they supply.
How have these changed in the past 50 years?
Answers
Answer:
kondapalli bommalu ( kondapalli is a place and bommalu means toys )
Explanation:
Kondapalli Toys are toys made from soft wood known as Tella Poniki which are found in nearby Kondapalli Hills of Krishna district, a nearby Vijayawada in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Bommala Colony translates to Toys Colony in Kondapalli is the place where the art of crafting takes place .Kondapalli toys are famous for their light weight, vibrant colors and age-old production techniques, Each part is carved out separately. Then (makku) - a paste of tamarind seed powder & sawdust is used to join pieces together, add details and finish the toys. The later step involves coloring with either oil and watercolours or vegetable dyes and enamel paints are applied based on the type of the toys. These toys are mostly themed around mythology, animals, birds, bullock carts, rural life etc., and the most notable one is Dasavataram, dancing dolls etc.
Over the years, Kondapalli toy has become a collectible from a plaything. An integral part of the Dusshera and Sankranthi celebrations is the ‘Bommala Koluvu’ or ‘Kollu’ when toys are collected and ceremoniously displayed and most children and women would compete to have the most grand and elaborate collection. The artisans of Kondapalli would make the most business during these festivals, but these traditions are slowly vanishing and with them artisans are forced to look at measures to cut costs and switch to enamel colours instead of natural dyes. Though there was neglect of the interests and development of the Kondapalli artisans due to the advent of mechanized toys, the scenario has completely changed in recent years. The Government, Governments departments, certain institutions and organizations are helping in developing this industry.