The intangible art of toy making process and its impact on the house forms of Kondapalli village: Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

A house can be defined as an interpretation of perceptions of the society, inculcated within it, in a direct or indirect method. The social cycle of creation of space depends on parameters of site, settings, cultural history, and traditions. Therefore, it’s not only the house form or architectural elements of the space, which encapsulates the whole idea behind its invention but also the symbolic dimension added to it, defining its significance and identity. The study analyses the association of toy-making process of Kondapalli Village (Andhra Pradesh) with its impact on the built environment of the inhabitants over years. The following study attempts to analyze the toy-making process of Kondapalli Village and its impact on the built environment of the houses. The study is threefold, firstly it attempts to understand the traditional knowledge in the process of wooden toy making in Kondapalli; secondly, the spatial analysis of different house forms ranging from vernacular to modern house and their inter-relationship with the art form deduced to examine the sequential evolution of forms and functions; lastly, an establishment of the symbolic relationship of the toy-making process with the community. Therefore, the study helps to analyse and establish an inter-connection between the house forms, occupational practices and the community.