Etikoppaka

Etikoppaka

A small village on the banks of the Varaha River in Visakhapatnam district, Etikoppaka is famous for its age-old tradition of wooden carvings and artefacts, especially the toys, mythological figures and carvings that are created to resemble the shapes that were excavated at the sites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa.. Etikoppaka means, a group of houses on the banks of the river.

Chitti Raju, landlord over here and is the contemporary face of Etikoppaka's craft today, gathered the few remaining and aging craftsmen together and exposed them to new designs and concepts at national-level craft exhibitions all over the country. After Chitti Raju it was left to Chitti Raju's nephew, C.V. Raju, to reverse the trend and make Etikoppaka a byword for quality handicraft. Etikoppaka toys are exported to other Indian states and countries. The village-craftsmen are assisted by individual designers and various university and governmental agencies.

The toys of Etikoppaka include vermilion boxes and bangles. Toys for marriage ceremonies and rituals, toys meant for children, play bowls (lakkapidatalu) & an entire set of cooking vessels in miniature form. The toys are made with locally available light ankudu wood. Another unique feature of these toys is that they are without colors.

Elegant candle-stands has found good markets not only within India but also overseas, especially in France, Italy, Germany and the US. The growing demand for lacquerware nationally and internationally, has enthused C.V. Raju and his family to set up a well-equipped design centre to train new people in the craft at Etikoppaka itself

Etikoppaka, this small village reminds one of childhood days, of vivid, sparkling wooden toys and colorful objects that were the source of endless joy.

The toys of Etikoppaka are not only meant for children but cater to the needs of daily use

It is 65 km from Visakhapatnam. Etikoppaka has a population of around 12,000. The village economy is mostly based on farming. More than 200 artisan families live in this village.