Need to protect artisans to preserve arts, says Dy. CM as A.P. launches health camps for skilled

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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 protecting traditional arts also means safeguarding the health and welfare of the artisans who sustain them.

In a post on X on Thursday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the initiative was conceived after his interactions with artisans and weavers during the recently held Andhra Pradesh Hastakala Mahotsavam, where many of them shared the occupational health problems they face after years of continuous work. The artisans spoke about suffering from chronic back, neck and joint pain, eye ailments, respiratory disorders and other work-related health issues, he said. 

Describing artisans as custodians of the State’s cultural heritage, he said the coalition government considers it its responsibility to protect not only traditional art forms but also the health and well-being of the artists who preserve them.

camps in phases

According to him, medical camps were successfully conducted on July 8 for Kalamkari artisans at Srikalahasti in Tirupati district and crochet lace artisans at Seetharampuram in West Godavari district. Camps were being organised 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 woollen carpet artisans in Eluru district, and handloom workers in Madanapalle.

On July 11, special health camps are scheduled for Dharmavaram handloom workers in Sri Sathya Sai district, Budithi brass artisans in Srikakulam district, Pedana Block Kalamkari artisans in Krishna district, and wood carving artisans in Tirupati district.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the programme would continue in phases next week to cover more artisan and handloom clusters across Andhra Pradesh.

He said the camps would provide general health check-ups, specialist consultations wherever necessary, diagnostic tests and guidance for follow-up treatment.

Calling upon artisans and weavers to make full use of the initiative, the Deputy Chief Minister said honouring art means honouring the labour of the artist, and protecting an artist’s health is essential for preserving the State’s rich cultural traditions and heritage for future generations. “To protect our traditional arts, we must first protect the artisans,” he added.