Allagadda, one of the important stone carving centres in Andhra Pradesh, has been issued Geographical Indication (GI) registration certificate by the GI Registry, Chennai.
The stone carving tradition in Andhra Pradesh dates back to 2nd Century BC when Amaravati was an important Buddhist centre under the Satavahanas. Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic architecture in the region stand testimony to this craft.
Allagadda is famous for sculptures. Mythological figures and the stone carvings of gods and goddesses in the temples in this region are typical illustrations of the stone work.
In Allagadda stone carvings, the sculptors widely use sand stone called isuka rai and Krishna Sila Stone or Black Stone, called pesara rai in local language.
Both sand and black stones are widely available near Allagadda and both the stones have unique characteristics. The semi-hard nature of the stone makes the stone carvings finishing friendly, flexible and gives the sculptors the ease to craft products of different sizes and shapes with very fine structures.
Steeped in tradition
The Allagadda sculptors strictly follow the ancient knowledge of ‘Shilpa Sastra’ and in Vijayanagara style. The famous sculptors Mahasilpi Durugadda Balaveerachri (1926–1986), Durugadda RamaKrishmachari (1953–2008) moved to Allagadda exclusively for stone carving from a nearby village called ‘Gumpuramanu Dinne’ during the 1930s.
At present, more than 100 artisan families are making stone carvings in Allagadda and the number of artisans is more than 1,000.
The Technology Centre of the CII has facilitated the State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited towards the registration of Allagadda stone carvings as Geographical Indication.
Since inception, the centre has facilitated in registration of 24 products under GI out of which 15 are now registered from A.P. GI Protection benefits both, producers and consumers. While the latter have access to a genuine product, the former have opportunity to build brands and will be protected against a loss of their business against individuals involved in fake production.
Application filed in 2015
A team from Technology Centre of CII with the support State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited started working on the project in January 2015. A study was carried out to document the craft details, and interact with community members on importance of GI registration and protection.
The GI application for Allagadda stone carvings was filed in the GI registry on March 6, 2015. The applications got a nod and recommendation from the GI registry and went in for publication in November last year and after an opposition period of four months, the applications were granted the GI registration on March 28.
