Handloom and Textiles tie up with SPA to modernise Lepakshi showrooms across AP

The Hindu

16-05-2025

The Department of Handloom and Textiles has proposed to modernise Lepakshi sales centres across the State to effectively showcase the essence of traditional handicrafts.
Chairing a review meeting on Friday, Special Chief Secretary (Handloom and Textile) R. P. Sisodia said modern designs for Lepakshi showrooms were being developed in collaboration with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada.
Mr. Sisodia, along with representatives from SPA, reviewed the new designs for various showrooms, including the one being set up in New Delhi. He said these showrooms would reflect Andhra Pradesh's rich history, handicrafts, handlooms and the essence of Telugu culture. He also discussed the designs of a showroom proposed to be established at Rajamahendravaram airport and construction of a new showroom at Tirupati.
Mr. Sisodia said though Lepakshi, operated profitably as an organisation, some individual showrooms incurred losses. Interacting with the showroom managers, he directed them to identify the causes for underperformance of their respective units and asked them to strive for profitability.
He visited the main exhibition centre at the Lepakshi headquarters, where Managing Director Vishwa briefed him about the origin of artworks and the artisans who created them. Mr. Sisodia emphasised the importance of attractive packaging for effective marketing.
Head of the Department of Architecture, SPA, Vijayawada, D. Srinivas, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, SPA T. Madhava Rao and State-level Lepakshi showroom managers attended the meeting.