Tholu Bommalata is one of India's oldest living art traditions — a centuries-old craft of shadow puppetry rooted in the folk heritage of Andhra Pradesh. Each piece in this collection is handcrafted by master artisans who have inherited this Telugu folk art form across generations, cutting and painting translucent leather into figures that once animated epic tales of the Ramayana and Mahabharata on candlelit screens.

Today, Tholu Bommalata travels from the puppet stage into your home — as backlit wall art, auspicious torans, devotional gifts, and collector's pieces that carry centuries of storytelling in every painted line.

This collection brings together shadow puppets, folk art paintings, and decorative torans featuring beloved motifs — Rama, Sita, Lakshmi Devi, Ganesha, Hanuman, and the majestic Elephant — each one a handcrafted original from Andhra Pradesh.

A meaningful gift for housewarmings, festive occasions, art collectors, and anyone who believes that the most beautiful objects are the ones that carry a living story.

Filter and sort 9 products
Sort by:

Filter and sort

9 products
Filter and sort
Product type
Product Theme
Material
Price
₹
Availability
Remove all
Product type
Product Theme
Material
Price
₹
₹
Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tholu Bommalata? +
Tholu Bommalata is a traditional shadow puppet art form from Andhra Pradesh, India. The name translates to "leather puppet dance" in Telugu. Artisans hand-cut and paint translucent leather figures — typically depicting characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata — which were historically used to perform shadow theatre on candlelit screens.
Where does Tholu Bommalata originate? +
Tholu Bommalata originates from Andhra Pradesh in South India and is recognised as one of India's oldest living folk art traditions. It is a GI-tagged craft, with its roots in the Telugu-speaking regions of the state.
What materials are used in Tholu Bommalata art? +
Each piece is crafted from translucent leather, which is hand-cut into intricate shapes and painted with natural and mineral colours. Tiny holes are hand-punched across the surface — a defining feature of the craft — allowing light to pass through and cast intricate shadow patterns, recreating the magic of traditional shadow theatre on your walls.
How can I display Tholu Bommalata pieces at home? +
Tholu Bommalata puppets and paintings are stunning as backlit wall art — mount them on a light box or against a window for the full shadow-puppet effect. They also work beautifully as statement wall decor in living rooms, pooja rooms, and entryways, or as torans above doorways.
Are Tholu Bommalata pieces suitable as gifts? +
Yes — they make deeply meaningful gifts for housewarmings, festive occasions, art collectors, and anyone with an appreciation for Indian heritage crafts. Each piece is handcrafted by artisans in Andhra Pradesh and comes with a living craft story.
How do I care for Tholu Bommalata leather art? +
Wipe gently with a dry cotton cloth. Keep away from direct moisture and prolonged sunlight to preserve the colours and integrity of the leather.
Can Tholu Bommalata pieces be customised to a specific size? +
Yes — all Tholu Bommalata pieces in this collection can be customised to your preferred size. Whether you need a compact piece for a pooja room or a large statement work for a living room or commercial space, our artisans can craft it to your specifications. Reach us on WhatsApp at +91 90357 90430 or email hello@culturati.in to discuss your requirements.
Are bulk orders available for Tholu Bommalata art? +
Absolutely — we welcome bulk orders for corporate gifting, events, hospitality spaces, and institutional buyers. Each piece is handcrafted to order, and we can accommodate custom sizes, motifs, and packaging. Write to us at hello@culturati.in or WhatsApp +91 90357 90430 to get started.