In Hyderabad, artisans at the foothills of Tirumala, who have been crafting intricate wooden statues of Lord Balaji and other deities for over a century, are preparing to apply for a geographical indication tag for their Madhavamala wood carvings. These carvings are renowned for their detailed lifelike representation of gods and goddesses like Kalyana Balaji, Raja and Rani dolls, children's toys, ornate floral motifs on doors and windows, pooja mandapams, wooden pillars, and furniture. The Sri Balaji Wood Carvings Mutually Aided Cooperative Society Limited, representing 510 artisans from 309 families who create these prized carvings, will submit the GI application later this month with the assistance of NABARD. This application will mark the 20th GI filing from Andhra Pradesh, led by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha collaborating with NABARD in supporting the artisans in obtaining the geographical indication tag.