Hyderabad: As controversy surrounds the famous Tirupati laddu due to allegations of adulteration, artisans residing near Tirumala are ready to apply for a geographical indication tag for their outstanding Madhavamala wood carvings. These skilled craftsmen have been creating intricately carved wooden statues of Lord Balaji and other deities for over a century. The Madhavamala wood carvings are renowned for their lifelike idols of gods and goddesses like Kalyana Balaji, Raja and Rani dolls, children's toys, doors and windows adorned with floral designs, pooja mandapams, wooden pillars, and furniture. The Sri Balaji Wood Carvings Mutually Aided Cooperative Society Limited, representing 510 artisans from 309 families known for their Madhavamala wood carvings, will soon submit a GI tag application. NABARD will oversee the facilitation of the GI application. This application for Madhavamala wood carvings will mark the 20th GI filing from AP, according to GI practitioner Subhajit Saha who, along with NABARD, will assist the artisans in securing the geographical indication tag.