Glossy Flower Kalamkari Handpainted Standing Round Leather Lamp -9 Inch

The Story of Light: Tholu Bommalata

More than just a lamp, this piece is a glowing testament to the ancient art of Tholu Bommalata—the shadow puppetry tradition of Andhra Pradesh. Historically used to narrate epics like the Ramayana to village audiences, this craft has evolved from moving puppets to exquisite illuminated decor. The translucent treated leather diffuses light into a warm, ethereal glow, transforming any corner of your home.

Meet the Artisan: Raghavendra

This masterpiece is handcrafted by Raghavendra, a State Award-winning artist from the renowned artisan cluster of Nimmalakunta. With decades of experience, Raghavendra masterfully blends the narrative power of puppetry with functional design. By bringing this lamp into your space, you are directly supporting a legacy artist and preserving a centuries-old Indian folk tradition.

Technique & Design

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  Material: Authentic, ethically sourced goat leather is treated with natural oils and herbs to achieve a parchment-like translucency.


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  Kalamkari Inspiration: The lamp features a "Glossy Flower" design, inspired by the intricate floral creepers of Kalamkari textiles. Artisans translate these fluid lines onto leather using vivid, vegetable-based dyes.


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  The Magic of Light: The true beauty lies in the perforation technique. Thousands of tiny holes are punched by hand. When lit, these perforations cast a jewel-like mosaic of light and shadow, mimicking a starry night sky.

Product Specifications

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  Dimensions: 9 Inches (Height) x Round Diameter


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  Material: Translucent Goat Leather on a Sturdy Iron Frame


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  Art Form: Tholu Bommalata (Leather Shadow Puppetry)


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  Color Palette: Multicolored floral patterns (Red, Green, Yellow, Black)


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  Usage: Ideal as a bedside lamp, living room accent, or spiritual corner illuminator.

Care Instructions

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  Cleaning: Wipe gently with a dry, soft cloth.


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  Precaution: Do not use water or damp cloth as leather absorbs moisture. Keep away from direct sunlight to preserve the dye vibrancy.

Note on Handcrafted Authenticity: Because each lamp is individually hand-painted and punched by the artist, no two pieces are identical. Slight variations in color and texture are not defects but the signature of human hands.

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.