The Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation (APHDC) on Friday (September 12) presented Lepakshi 2025 awards to 15 master artisans at the culmination of Lepakshi Handicraft Design Competition 2025, in Vijayawada. The event was attended by Chairman, APHDC, Pasupuleti Hari Prasad and presided over by Special Chief Secretary, Handlooms and Textiles, R.P. Sisodia.
The competition was designed to celebrate creativity across five categories – Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, wood carving, leather puppetry, and Kalamkari block printing. A panel of judges, including experts from the National Institute of Design (NID), the Craft Council, DC Handicrafts, and a Ph.D. scholar in traditional arts evaluated the entries. In all, 15 awards, comprising gold, silver and bronze medals, were presented, along with certificates and prize money of ₹3 lakh.
Winners of gold medals were given a cash prize of ₹25,000, silver medal ₹15,000 and bronze medal ₹10,000. Those who won a gold medals included Nuthakki Srinivasa Rao for Kondapalli toys (Srinivasa Kalyanam), Tangeti Ayyanna for Etikoppaka toys (multipurpose utility box), Dalavai Ananthamma for leather puppetry (lamp shade), C. Subramanya Achary for wood carving (showcase item) and K.V.S.N. Kishore for Kalamkari block printing (wall painting cloth).
In addition, five artisans were honoured with the People’s Choice Awards, each carrying a prize of ₹10,000 and a certificate, in recognition of their innovative and appealing creations. The award ceremony coincided with the inauguration of Gandhi Shilp Bazaar and Masterpieces Display and Sale. The exhibitions will remain open till September 14. Managing Director, APHDC Vishwa Manoharan and others were present on the occasion.
Published – September 12, 2025 11:22 pm IST
