Every Kondapalli Bommalu design we stock, carved from soft Tella Poniki wood by artisan families in Kondapalli, Andhra Pradesh and painted by hand. Deities and devotional sets, village and festival scenes, animals, dolls and wedding sets — from single figures to full displays, delivered across India.
How Kondapalli Bommalu are made
Every figure begins as a block of Tella Poniki, the soft white wood that grows around the Kondapalli hills. It is light, close-grained and forgiving under a chisel, which is what lets an artisan cut fine detail without the piece splitting.
Body, limbs, head and any animal or prop are carved as separate parts, then joined with a traditional paste of tamarind seed powder and sawdust. The assembled figure is smoothed, primed and painted entirely by hand: broad colour first, then the fine work on eyes, jewellery and the borders of a sari. Because nothing is moulded, two dolls of the same design are never quite identical.
How to tell an authentic piece
Weight: genuine Tella Poniki is surprisingly light for its size. A heavy doll usually means a substitute wood.
Joins: hand-assembled figures show fine seams where limbs meet the body, rather than one moulded surface.
Brushwork: hand-painted detail varies a little from piece to piece, while printed or sprayed decoration repeats exactly.
Base: traditional figures stand on a carved wooden base that is part of the doll itself.
Origin: Kondapalli Bommalu holds a Geographical Indication tag, recognising the craft as belonging to the Kondapalli region of Andhra Pradesh.
What you will find in this collection
The catalogue runs from single figures a few inches tall to full display sets with dozens of pieces.
Deities and devotional sets, including Balaji, Lakshmi and Ganapathi figures and temple scenes.
Village life: the potter, the vegetable seller, the corn roaster and the other everyday scenes this craft is known for.
Festival and wedding sets such as Pelli Pandhiri mandapams and Sreemantham sets.
Animals and birds, from elephants and bullock carts to peacocks and bird stands.
Smaller toys and single figures that suit a shelf or a gift.
Looking after wooden dolls
Dust with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid water, which lifts hand-applied colour.
Keep out of long direct sunlight, which fades the paint over time.
Store somewhere dry: damp is the main enemy of a soft wood.
Wrap pieces in cloth or paper between festivals rather than stacking them.
Lift a figure by its base, not by an arm or a projecting detail.
Buying for festivals, gifting and wholesale
Kondapalli sets are traditionally brought out for Sankranti and Dasara displays, and a single figure makes a durable, meaningful gift for a housewarming or a wedding.
We also supply retailers, gift stores and event planners at wholesale prices, direct from the artisan families, with delivery across India. Contact us for bulk pricing or a custom set.