Vivid Waves Kalamkari Handpainted Wall Mount Leather Lamp -5.5 Inch

A Splash of Tradition: Tholu Bommalata

This wall lamp is a vibrant expression of Tholu Bommalata, the celebrated shadow puppetry craft of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike mass-produced lighting, this piece carries the soul of a storytelling tradition that dates back to the 3rd century BCE. The translucent leather, originally treated to cast shadows for village plays, is now reimagined to cast a warm, inviting glow in modern homes.

The Artisan: State Awardee Raghavendra

Handcrafted in the artisan village of Nimmalakunta, this piece is the work of Raghavendra, a State Award-winning master craftsman. By choosing this lamp, you are not merely buying decor; you are supporting the livelihood of a custodian of Indian heritage and ensuring this intricate art form continues to thrive.

Design: The "Vivid Waves" Motif

While traditional Tholu Bommalata often depicts deities, this piece features a contemporary "Vivid Waves" design inspired by Kalamkari aesthetics.

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  The Art: The fluid, rhythmic wave patterns are hand-drawn and painted using natural vegetable dyes, symbolizing energy and movement.


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  The Light: The magic happens when the lamp is switched on. Thousands of tiny, hand-punched perforations outline the waves, allowing light to dance through the leather and create a stunning, intricate projection on your wall.

Placement Ideas (Small Lamp, Big Impact)

At 5.5 inches, this compact wall mount is designed for versatility. It is perfect for:

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  Accent Lighting: Creating a focal point in a hallway, foyer, or gallery wall.


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  Bedside Ambience: A unique, artistic alternative to standard reading lamps.


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  Creative Corners: Illuminating a bookshelf or a small meditation space.

Product Specifications

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  Dimensions: 5.5 Inches (Height) x Wall Mount Profile


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  Material: Translucent Goat Leather stretched over a metal frame


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  Craft: Tholu Bommalata (Leather Shadow Puppetry)


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  Technique: Hand-perforated and Hand-painted


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  Colors: Multicolored (Earth tones with vibrant accents)

Care Instructions

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  Cleaning: Dust lightly with a dry, soft cloth.


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  Caution: Avoid water, damp cloths, and direct sunlight, as these can damage the natural leather and fade the organic dyes.

Why is this a "Living" Art? Because this lamp is handcrafted from natural material, the leather texture may evolve slightly over time, deepening in character. Minor variations in the painting or perforation are not flaws—they are the guarantee that a real person created this piece specifically for you.

This translucent leather painting art form from Andhra Pradesh is used to make puppets for the popular shadow-puppet theatre tradition of Andhra Pradesh -‘Tholu Bommalata’- literally meaning “the dance of leather dolls’. An ancient practice, wandering entertainers have for centuries disseminated the knowledge of Hindu epics and local folk tales to the remotest corners of the region, through this art form and tradition.

The raw materials used are Goat hide and sheepskin and the colours used are derived from vegetables dyes. Creating small holes inside the decorative patterns enhances the attraction of the items, which is done using a pogaru (chisel). The painted piece is dried in sunlight over two to three days. Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata inspire artisans to create these beautiful items in a wide range of shapes, sizes and utility varying from paintings to lamp shades or puppets as a vibrant and unique work of art to liven up a wall or a corner. Lampshades are created using a mould and most of them are based on mythological figures.

Exchange: *Easy exchange is available within 3 days of receiving the product.
*No exchanges on home decor items.
*Unboxing video is required.

Return: *Only for damaged/wrong products.
*Unboxing video required.
Learn More

What is tholu bommalata or leather puppetry ?
This is a theatre art form where beautifully hand painted leather puppets or dolls are used over lighted screens to narrate a story.

Where does tholu bommalata come from ?
This art form is popular in the state of Andhra Pradesh reflecting the state's rich tradition.

What are the tholu lamps made of ?
As the name suggests, “tholu” means leather. These lamps are made with goat leather that are stretched over metal frames. The translucent nature of the leather allows lights to pass through resulting in a spectacular effect.

Are the lamps hand painted ?
The tholu lamps are meticulously hand painted by traditionally trained artisans. The leather is later perforated along the painted images to enhance the effect of the light.

Are your lamps sourced from traditional artisans ?
Tholu lamps are native to the state of Andhra Pradesh and have been recognized with the geographical indication tags indicating their geographical origin and the associated reputation that comes with it. All our lamps are sourced directly from the craftsmen and artisans who have been indulged in this art form for years together.

What are the different types of leather lamps you sell ?
We bring to you our curated collection of wall lamps, table lamps, lamp shades, floor lamps and hanging lamps in tholu / leather.