Hyderabad: Amid controversy surrounding the authenticity of the popular Tirupati laddu, artisans at the foothills of Tirumala who have been skillfully creating intricate wooden statues of deities for over a century, are preparing to seek a geographical indication tag for their unique craft. The Madhavamala wood carvings are renowned for their finely crafted lifelike idols of various gods and goddesses, as well as other exquisite wooden items such as toys, doors, windows, pillars, and furniture adorned with intricate floral designs. The Sri Balaji Wood Carvings Mutually Aided Cooperative Society Limited, representing 510 artisans from 309 families specializing in Madhavamala wood carvings, will be submitting their application for the GI tag with the assistance of NABARD. This will be the 20th GI application from Andhra Pradesh, as confirmed by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha, who is working alongside NABARD to support the artisans in securing the tag.