Hesvika Handi CraftsHandmade Kondapalli, Etikoppaka & clay bommalu · ECIL, Hyderabad

What is Kondapalli Bommalu? The 400-Year-Old Craft, Explained

If you have ever seen a set of brightly painted wooden village figures, a Dasavatharam display, or the step dolls at a Navratri Golu, chances are you have seen Kondapalli Bommalu. But what exactly are they, where do they come from, and how are they made? Here is the full story.

In short

Kondapalli Bommalu are handmade wooden dolls from the village of Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh — a craft more than 400 years old, carrying a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Each figure is hand-carved from soft Tella Poniki wood and hand-painted, so no two are exactly alike.

Where Kondapalli Bommalu come from

They take their name from Kondapalli, a village near Vijayawada in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The craft has been practised there for over 400 years, passed down through generations of artisan families known as the Aryakshatriyas (Nakarshalu).

In recognition of its unique origin, the craft carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag — the same kind of protection that certifies a product genuinely comes from its traditional home.

How Kondapalli Bommalu are made

Every doll is made entirely by hand, in a process that has changed little over centuries. Because every step is done by hand, each doll is genuinely one of a kind — the small variations between two pieces of the same design are the mark of real handmade work rather than a factory mould.

1. The wood — artisans use Tella Poniki, a soft, lightweight local wood that is easy to carve yet durable.
2. Carving — each figure is carved in separate parts: head, body, limbs and any animal or prop.
3. Assembly — the parts are joined together using a natural paste made from tamarind seed powder.
4. Smoothing — a base coat is applied so the surface takes colour evenly.
5. Painting — finally, each piece is hand-painted in bright, traditional colours, detail by detail.

What the dolls depict

Kondapalli artisans capture the whole sweep of Indian life and mythology.

• Gods and goddesses, and Dasavatharam sets — the ten avatars of Vishnu.
• Village life and professions: the potter, the tea stall, the corn roaster, the village panchayat under the tree.
• Bullock carts, animals and birds.
• Wedding (Pelli) sets and mandapams, and Sankranti and Gruhapravesham sets.
• Golu step dolls displayed during festivals, and modern home-decor showpieces.

Why they matter — festivals and tradition

These dolls are more than decor. They are a central part of Telugu festival tradition, displayed during Sankranti, Dasara and especially the Navratri Golu (Bommala Koluvu), when families arrange dolls on tiered steps.

They are also given as meaningful gifts for weddings and housewarmings — a piece of living heritage to keep for years, and a collection that can be built up one figure at a time.

How to spot an authentic one

• It is lightweight — real Tella Poniki wood — not heavy, and not hollow plastic.
• The paintwork has small hand-done variations, not the perfect uniformity of a machine.
• It comes from a genuine maker, or a shop that sources directly from Kondapalli artisans.

Buying authentic Kondapalli Bommalu

At Hesvika Handi Crafts in Kamala Nagar, ECIL, Hyderabad, every piece is authentic, GI-origin Kondapalli craft — made by artisan families and sold direct, with delivery across India or collection in person at the shop.

Common questions

What is Kondapalli Bommalu?

Kondapalli Bommalu are handmade wooden dolls from Kondapalli village in Andhra Pradesh — a GI-tagged craft over 400 years old, hand-carved from Tella Poniki wood and hand-painted.

What wood is used to make them?

Soft, lightweight Tella Poniki wood. Parts are carved separately and joined with a tamarind-seed paste, then hand-painted.

What are Kondapalli Bommalu used for?

Home decor and collecting, festival displays (especially Navratri Golu / Bommala Koluvu, Sankranti and Dasara), and traditional gifts for weddings and housewarmings.