Need to protect artisans to preserve art, says Dy. CM as AP starts health camps for the qualified
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan watches an artisan at work at the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Mahotsavam-2026 held at Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada recently. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
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Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has announced that the state government has launched a series of special medical camps for artisans and handloom workers across Andhra Pradesh, saying that protecting traditional arts also means protecting the health and welfare of the artisans who maintain them.
In a post on X on Thursday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said that the initiative came about after his interactions with artisans and weavers during the recently held Andhra Pradesh Hastakala Mahotsavam, where many of them shared the health problems they face after years of continuous work. Artisans reported chronic back, neck and joint pain, eye diseases, respiratory disorders and other work-related health problems, he said.
He described artisans as custodians of the state’s cultural heritage and said the coalition government sees it as its responsibility to protect not only traditional art forms but also the health and well-being of the artists who preserve them.
camps in stages
According to him, medical camps for Kalamkari artisans at Srikalahasti in Tirupati district and for crochet lace artisans at Seetharampuram in West Godavari district were successfully conducted on July 8. Camps were organized on July 9 for Kondapalli toy artisans in NTR district, Uppada handloom workers in Kakinada district, Madhavaram handloom workers in YSR Kadapa district and Yadiki handloom workers in Anantapur district. On July 10, similar camps will be held for Bobbili Veena artisans in Vizianagaram district, Etikoppaka artisans in Anakapalli district, hand-knotted woolen carpet artisans in Eluru district and handlooms in Madanapalle.
Special health camps are scheduled for July 11 for Dharmavaram handloom workers in Sri Sathya Sai district, Buddhist brass artisans in Srikakulam district, Pedana Block Kalamkari artisans in Krishna district and wood carving artisans in Tirupati district.
Mr. Pawan Kalyan said that the program will continue in phases next week to cover more clusters of artisans and handlooms in Andhra Pradesh.
He said the camps will provide general health check-ups, specialist consultations whenever required, diagnostic tests and follow-up treatment guidelines.
Calling on artisans and weavers to take full advantage of this initiative, the Deputy Chief Minister said that honoring art means honoring the work of the artist and protecting the health of the artist is essential to preserve the rich cultural traditions and heritage of the state for future generations. “To protect our traditional arts, we must first protect the artisans,” he added.
Published – 9 Jul 2026 20:36 IST