Naidu shines spotlight on tribal artisans’ rich craft
The air inside the exhibition hall at Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada carried the rich scent of roasted forest honey, earth-baked clay, and fresh palm-leaf
The air inside the exhibition hall at Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada carried the rich scent of roasted forest honey, earth-baked clay, and fresh palm-leaf weaves. On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the venue transformed into a vibrant corridor bringing together tribal artisans, self-help group members, and state dignitaries under one roof. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu walked through the stalls along with Minister for Tribal Welfare G. Sandhya Rani and officials.
Instead of having a quick glance, the Chief Minister slowed his pace at every display, pausing to admire a gift box crafted by the Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) that showcased the region's tribal heritage. As he progressed down the line, representatives from the local self-help groups offered him a fresh cup of Araku Valley Coffee. Sampling the brew, he spoke with the young tribal entrepreneurs about the processing standards, branding, and local supply chains, emphasising the need to scale indigenous products into commercial markets.
At a nearby handicraft stall, an artisan in a purple saree held up a handcrafted woven vase topped with bright fiber flowers, explaining how her self-help group turned raw forest materials into sustainable products. The Chief Minister leaned in to inspect the tight weaves and vibrant natural dyes before greeting the artisans with folded hands. A few stalls down, tribal beekeepers offered a sample of unfiltered wild harvest honey directly from the jar. Other stalls highlighted hand-spun green coats, handloom saris, terracotta pottery, and traditional seed garlands crafted by forest communities from Srisailam and Nandyal.
For the artisans who travelled from remote hill settlements, the exhibition provided direct recognition. Having the State leadership sample their honey, view their pottery, and inspect their textiles bridged the gap between the forest communities and administrative corridors, leaving the hall with a shared sense of pride.
The BriefWire