Chinna Kullayappas

Chinna Kullayappa, along with his family—including his wife and children—has spent his entire life keeping this 700-year-old art form of leather puppetry, known as Tholu Bommalata, alive. Rooted in Andhra Pradesh and deeply tied to Nimmalakunta, a remote village in the Anantapur district, this traditional craft has transformed from ancient shadow play performances into exquisite craft art for modern interior design. Using naturally treated goat leather, traditional tools, and natural dyes, Chinna Kullayappa uses his skilled workmanship to carve, hole, and paint intricate designs that bring figures to life. His exclusive collections feature stunning pieces drawing rich themes from Indian epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita