‘Tholu Bommalatta’ artisans to present ‘Sundarkand’ in Hyderabad

On March 15, artisan group Sri Kumar Thiripalu of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh will present stories from Brundam Ramayana. SunderkandA Tholu Bommalatta (Shadow Leather Puppet) Session at Aroma of the South Restaurant, Hyderabad. Organized by the Brass Lotus and Tree Huggers Club, this presentation aims to encourage guests to explore native crafts and storytelling.

This is the first of many events that Chetna Naidu, founder of Brass Lotus, is planning to organise. Workshops on Kalamkari block printing and Cheriyal mask painting are in the pipeline. An IT professional and an entrepreneur, she co-founded Brass Lotus with her mother, Saradha Naidu, in July 2025, and curates crafts from across India for home decor.

Aroma of the South’s small storefronts and online (brasslotus.in and @brasslotus on Instagram) offer masks painted by Cheriyal artisans, painted plates in the Pichvai and Cheriyal styles, wooden wall carvings from Chettinad, elephant and cow-shaped decor pieces painted in the Patachitra style, and lampshades with shadow leather puppet imagery.

Chetna wants these artefacts to be conversation starters and hopes the workshops and performances will encourage a deeper understanding of the art forms.

Chetna with her mother Saradha Naidu. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Chetna, who grew up in a middle-class home in Nagpur, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, pursued an MBA and additional courses, including a Diploma in Management from IIM, Kozhikode. “I started working during the first year of graduation to support my family. It was the most natural thing to take up a full-time job after studies”, she says, adding that she had watched her mother, a teacher, gracefully handle the household and financial responsibilities after her father passed away when she was just seven years old.

Two years ago, during a solo trip, Chetna met first and second generation entrepreneurs and was inspired by their risk-taking ability. “I wasn’t exposed to people who challenged the status quo and looked beyond salaried jobs. I thought it was time for me to explore something new.”

Chetna recalls being attracted towards arts and crafts since childhood and mentions a book Muggs (Rangoli or traditional floor art made in front of Telugu houses) He and his mother traveled with him when he visited cities.

Chetna, currently working on projects for multinational companies, also creates artworks for Brass Lotus. “The collection is limited but all of them are sourced from artisans found in Auroville, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana…” Most of the craft pieces are priced between ₹1,500 and ₹2,500. She also contacts artisans for custom-made items.

Some crafts made by Brass Lotus. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

When Chetna met Supreeta Amancherla of Tree Huggers Club, who has worked with entrepreneurs in creative sectors, a collaboration began. “A woman-run enterprise promoting homegrown arts attracted me and we decided to look at ways to promote the art forms,” says Supreeta.

Tholu Bommalatta Chetna and Supreeta say the presentation ahead of the Ugadi festival this weekend will involve the participation of six to eight artisans from villages across Andhra Pradesh. “Their dialect is specific to their native regions. We have suggested slight changes to make it accessible to all,” says Chetna. “The first event will help us test the situation and plan upcoming workshops accordingly,” says Supreeta.

(The one-hour presentation Sunderkand will be held on March 15 at 6.30 pm at Aroma of South, Khajaguda, Hyderabad. Entry is free.)