Stepwells, the wells or ponds in which the water is reached by descending a set of steps to the water-level, should be documented as these are heritage structures of great value, according to D. Vizai Bhaskar, CEO of AP State Creativity and Culture Commission.
Speaking at an exhibition on stepwells in Andhra Pradesh, organised by the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati (CCVA) to mark World Heritage Day, he pointed out that the early cultures developed around water resources and in the early historic times, people dug wells. He said the stepwells were built during medieval times, both for drinking water and for irrigation. He said these ancient structures should be preserved for posterity.
E. Sivanagi Reddy, CEO of CCVA, explained the art, aesthetics and the engineering skills of the stepwells of Andhra Pradesh. He also threw light on the architectural dexterity of the structures located at Tangeda (14th century AD), Morjampudi (16th century AD) and Malladi (19th century) in Gutur district, Chinnakandukur (17th century AD) in Kurnool district, Ekopalli and Rameswaram (18th century AD) and Kalahasti (19th century AD) in Chittoor district.