Legacy in Lacquer: Etikoppaka’s craft shines again | Fusion - WeRIndia

India’s traditional crafts often survive through dedication, and Etikoppaka’s lacquer art proves this truth.

For 37-year-old Santosh, the craft is both heritage and mission.

He will soon receive the prestigious Shilp Guru Award from President Droupadi Murmu.

The Ministry of Textiles confers this lifetime honour on master artisans.

It includes a cash prize of ₹2 lakh, a gold coin, a shawl, a Tamrapatra and a certificate.

Etikoppaka in Anakapalle district is famous for its lacquer toys made from ivory wood, locally called Ankudu Karra.

Artisans hand-shape the wood into toys and décor pieces. They also use natural dyes blended with lacquer, which give the toys their soft colours and shine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand collapsed. Santosh recalls the struggle, yet he notes that interest has returned.

People now choose these toys for weddings, festivals and baby showers. Their cultural value continues to draw buyers back.

Santosh leads a team of 15 artisans. Each member handles a specific task, from cutting wood to polishing and assembling.

Their work gained national attention when they created the Andhra Pradesh tableau for the 76th Republic Day Parade.

The tableau, themed Etikoppaka Bommalu, featured figures of Lord Ganesha, Lord Venkateswara and the Bobbili Veena.

It won third prize in the jury category, marking the State’s first win in three decades.

Because of renewed interest, the number of toy makers in the village has doubled in recent years.

Many women have also returned from industrial jobs to home-based toy making. The work offers flexibility and cultural connection.

Although the craft has revived, Santosh still operates from a rented home workshop.

However, government support is increasing. The Forest Department plans to grow ivory wood exclusively for artisans.

The office of Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan has also adopted Etikoppaka toys for official gifting, further boosting visibility.

The craft carries a Geographical Indication tag that protects its identity.

With the Shilp Guru Award coming to Etikoppaka, artisans believe pride and recognition will continue to grow, ensuring that their lacquer tradition passes to the next generation.

Image Credit: Adityamadhav83, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Etikoppaka_Toys_at_an_Exhibition_in_Visakhapatnam.JPG