Shilparamam is the name one can associate with the place where the efforts to revive the traditional village handicraft industry of India in the present times has become a reality thanks to the patronage given by the state government. Shilparamam is a village situated in the neighborhood of the ultra modern HITECH city of Hyderabad. It presents a completely different look when compared to the famous cyber towers. But the presence of such a village in its neighborhood represents the harmony between the traditional and the modern culture found in India.
The idea behind Shilparamam is to provide a platform to the craftsmen from all over the country to display their art. It is conceived as a yearlong festival of art, craft and music found in rural India.
Upon entering the village through a majestic gate two-life size terracotta horses standing on both the sides of the path, welcome the visitors. Here one can see live demonstration of craftsmen working on wood, paper, clay, clothes, metals etc, giving them beautiful forms. Seeing the raw materials taking beautiful shapes and designs is a thrilling and enriching experience for all. There are also shops where these craftsmen sell their items. Here ladies can buy hand made sarees and textiles of different states. Textiles ranging from Tangail, Sambhalpur, Paithni, Kashmiri to Kanjeevaram, Dharmavaram, Tanjavur, Madurai, Peddapuram, Bandar, Guntur and other sarees. It also has salwaar kamiz, ghagras, kurta, carpets, etc. Among these craftsmen, there are also artists who have been awarded by the state and the central government
Through out the year the village holds lots of cultural activities in theater which covering Tholu Bommalata, Burra Katha, Butta Bommalu, Puli Vesham and puppetry. Activities like dance, music, crafts and poetry sometimes defy their boundaries to merge into one presenting an mystical extravaganza. A festival called the ‘incarnation of art and craft’ is one such activity, which is regularly organized in the village.
