In Hyderabad, amid controversy surrounding allegations of adulteration involving the famous Tirupati laddu, a group of artisans at the foothills of Tirumala are preparing to apply for a geographical indication tag. For over a century, these artisans have been creating intricately sculpted wooden statues of Lord Balaji and other deities. The Madhavamala wood carvings are renowned for their lifelike idols of gods and goddesses, as well as various wooden artworks like Kalyana Balaji figures, Raja and Rani dolls, toys, doors, windows, floral carvings, pooja mandapams, pillars, and furniture. The Sri Balaji Wood Carvings Mutually Aided Cooperative Society Limited, representing 510 artisans from 309 families, will be submitting the GI tag application with the assistance of NABARD later this month. This application will mark the 20th GI filing from Andhra Pradesh, with support from GI practitioner Subhajit Saha and NABARD.