The Andhra Arts and Crafts Hotel is a sight to the sore eyes
Taking the celebration of indigenous handicrafts a notch higher, the heritage wing of Palm Beach Hotel in Vizag makes abundant use of the state’s local crafts like leather shadow puppetry, Kalamkari, and Etikoppaka toys in its interiors.
It is indeed a unique storytelling experience with an evolved aesthetic that is also traditionally inspired. The premises of Vizag’s Palm Beach Hotel is home to the beautiful Andhra Arts and Crafts Hotel which is designed by interior designer Ameet Mirpuri.
With a total of 24 boutique rooms, the Andhra Arts and Crafts hotel is divided into 4 separate sections – each inspired by a unique Andhra art form; namely, Tholu Bommalata (leather shadow puppetry), Budithi brass work, Kalamkari pen art, and Etikoppaka toys.
Many local artisans have been engaged in order to accomplish the project, Santosh is one of the few artisans who are still practicing the exquisite art of making Etikoppaka Bommalu or simply, Etikoppaka toys. Named after the village from where the art originates, Etikoppaka toys are made out of ankudu – wood acquired from the bark of a specific tree grown only in that village – and are known for their application of lacquer coating.
There are different rooms named after the various regional arts, in case of the Kalamkari rooms, Mirpuri and the team had to reinvent and make the colors more loud and boisterous, even though traditionally, the colors used in Kalamkari were not up to their standards so they added elements of leather puppetry just to give it that jazziness.
Tholu Bommalata (shadow leather puppetry) room is another wonder which is unmistakably a splendid work of art. Inspired by the old-school vibrance of roadside soda vendor carts, and an interactive wardrobe with unique open/close shutters and a headboard inspired from an actual theatre performance complete with rising curtains and theatre lights – the room certainly commands the attention of even the most sluggish soul.
The Andhra Arts and Crafts Hotel is, undoubtedly, the result of the labor of love and 15 months of hard work, to be precise. An initiative that has certainly added considerable value to Andhra Pradesh – both culturally and economically.
Images by Palm Beach Hotel Visakhapatnam
