About Bobbili Veena Craft Workshops
Bobbili Veena Craft Workshops in Gollapalli village near Bobbili town, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, are the traditional production centre of the Bobbili Veena, a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic music. Crafted from jackfruit wood by artisan families for generations, the instrument is known for its distinctive tone and intricate carvings and holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect small artisan workshops and homes in Gollapalli where craftsmen carve, hollow, assemble and polish Bobbili Veenas from jackfruit wood. The setting is a rural village environment with open workspaces, wood stocks, tools and partially finished instruments. Visitors can observe the step-by-step making process, interact with artisans, see finished veenas with carved lion-head peg boxes and learn about tuning and playing techniques.
Key highlights
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Live demonstration of Bobbili Veena making from jackfruit wood
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GI-tagged handicraft with over 300 years of tradition
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Intricately carved single-wood veena with distinctive lion-head (yali) motif
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Interaction with hereditary artisan families of Gollapalli
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Opportunity to purchase authentic handcrafted veenas directly from makers