VERVEMAGAZINE.IN 207The world’s first luxury handicrafts hotel in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), since opening
in November last year, has emerged as an immersive experiential hub that is
putting the lesser-known crafts of Andhra Pradesh on the map. A labour of love
by city-based designer Ameet Mirpuri and local handicrafts designer Krupanand
Karthik, it was realised in close collaboration with artisans, artists and art university
graduates native to the state.
Crafts traditions that take centre stage here are Tholu Bommalata or leather
shadow puppetry, Budithi brass work, kalamkari or pen art, and the Etikoppaka
art of toy-making. Details and elements have been seamlessly infused into every
nook and corner of this 15,000-square-foot heritage wing of the Palm Beach
hotel, and the principal aim of the mise en scène, so to speak, is to instil a sense
of pride for this ancient cultural heritage in a diverse audience. Discreetly
opulent yet quirky, the old-world charm melts into the modern at The Andhra
Art & Craft Hotel.
FACING PAGE: COLOURFUL
ANDHRA-HOME-STYLE WINDOWS
ABOVE: AN INSTALLATION OF
TELUGU THALLI, A GODDESS
SYMBOLISING PROSPERITY AND
HARVEST, GREETS VISITORS ON
ENTERING THE HOTEL
BELOW: A PANORAMIC VIEW OF
THE HOTEL ENTRANCE