The earliest evidence of toy carts dates back to the Harappan civilization and extends through the early historic period. Archaeological sites like Alamgirpur, Ambkheri, Kalibangan, and Lothal have yielded models for toy carts made from copper, bronze, and terracotta. Similarly, sites from the early historic period like Atranjikhera, Nagarjunakonda, Sambhar, Sonapur, Ujjain, and Brahmpuri also feature similar cart models. Toys crafted from a variety of materials, including clay, paper, papier-mâché, and painted or lacquered wood, were common during ancient and medieval times.
EnugulyVeergswami (a travel historian) mentioned about Nirmal region and Nirmal toys and Panchapa in his book Yayati Charitra. Artistic toys, paintings and utility itéms are made at Nirmal town. The art and oe community of cra ismen living in Nirmal is also called as ‘Nagásh’. Items in three forms namely Nirmal Toe Utility items, Nirmal Furniture and Nirmal Paintings are collectively called as Nirmal Artware.
Nirmal toys, paintings and furniture are renowned throughout the world. Nimmanaidu, who ruled Nirmot 400 years ago (1 7h Century) brought Naqash artisans to Nirmal and provided employment to them. Nirmal foe was named after him. He built houses for the Naqash artisans at Kasuba.
Nirmal Toys- Utility items
Nirmal wooden toys are widely popular at national level. They are lively and natural and made of soA whitewood (Poniki wood).
This wood is mainly available in the forest located between Khanapur and Manchera and in the forests near Bellampalli, Jannaram, Mancherial, Neradigonda, Bodh and other places. Nirmal toys are being exported to other countries through Golkonda emporia in Hyderabad.
Nirmal toys also include the images of various deities like Radhakrishna, Ganesh, Buddha and tribal women. Utility items include Nirmal bangle boxes, Jewelry boxes, Envelope racks, Pencil boxes, Cigar cases, Paper- Pen stands etc.
Nirmal Paintings
Nirmal paintings and toys formed a cottage industry and got worldwide fame. Its unique feature is, the plaque is given a coat of Duco paint using the desired baçkground color which is generally black.
Natural colors were used before the Duco paint. Shells were used for white, turmeric for yellow and Butea flowers for red color.
Lamp black collected from oil lamps was used for black color. The talent of Nirmal artisans in synthesizing the Indian and Mughal schools of art is admired very much. Oil paintings and Wooden paintings depicting the epics like Ramayana and Mahbharata are famous throughout the world.
Nirmal Arts and crafts, Furniture and Paintings got GI tag in 2008.
Nirmal Toys Industrial Co-operative Society was established in 1955.
Pochampally Sarees
Pochampally sarees became world famous from the year 1800 AD. They are the first products from Telangana region to receive GI status in the year 2005. Pochampally is renowned as a handloom production center and rural tourism spot.
Pochampally village is popular for cotton, silk and sico (a mix of silk and cotton) fabrics. Pochampaly sarees come in many elegant patterns which speak of both ing by grandeur and style. So Pochampally is called the Silk city of Telangana.
The tie and dye process got patent at international level for two decades. Swamy Ramananda Tirtha Rural Institute (SRTRI) provides computer based weaving designs. Bhoodan Pochampally is well known as the birthplace of the Bhoodan movement and a weaving center. But it became a rural tourism cluster and a shooting spot for Telugu film industry.
Film shooting started at Pochampally with the shooting of the film Susman by Syam Benegal and the number of film shootings increased. The handloom industry, rural culture and greenery around Pohampally have been attracting many filmmakers.
