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Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 8

White leather lamps are catching the attention of visitors at Saras Mela. These are in fact made of leather and villagers from Andhra Pradesh are using this tradition for generations together.

K Srinivas says he learnt the art from his grandfather and father and now, his children were also engaged in the same. They run a self-help group called Hirmata in Dharmavaran city of Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

As compared to paper or cloth lamp, these leather lamps made from goat leather can last for 50 years, he claims. Even ‘leather kalamkari’ used on the lamps doesn’t fade and remains as it is, he said. “The only thing to protect these from is water. Otherwise, these can last for decades together,” he said.

He said they also make puppets from leather. These are light and used for telling traditional tales. His grandfather Kulaiappa has even won the Andhra Pradesh state award for this art. A couple of such puppets made by him are even displayed at an art museum in Delhi, Srinivas said.

Earlier, they used to make lampshades only, but now, they have added variety and make 12 different kinds of lamps. “We have added different sizes and types — from hanging lamps to floor lamps. We are making traditional lampshades for years, but those could not be brought here due to logistics issues. I am participating at an exhibition in the city for the first time. We got good response from Chandigarh and Delhi, where I have exhibited these lamps earlier,” he said.