Andhra Pradesh Arts & Handicrafts

Andhra Pradesh has various arts and crafts specialties that have been influenced by South Indian cultures and traditions - from the Mughals to the Vijayanagar Empire. Bidriware, Nirmalware, leather puppetry, pearl ornaments, silk saris are some of the handicrafts and art forms of Andhra Pradesh.

Bidriware (alloy of zinc and silver) is a metal engraving craft is practiced in Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from neighbouring Bidar (located in Karnataka State), the hometown of this exquisite craft.

Nirmalware art form is famous for its decorative, beautifully painted wooden articles like furniture, bowls, lamps, ash trays, and boxes. Himroo is a distinctive, luxurious fabric, once used as dress material by the nobles, with a cotton base and silk or art silk weave, made into stoles, gowns and furnishings.

The colorful leather puppets or Tholubommalu are also famous in Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad today, is the largest pearl center of India. Andhra Pradesh has an age-old tradition of hand-woven fabrics. Silk and cotton saris from Pochampalli, Venkatagiri, Siddipet, Gadwal, Uppada, Narayanpet and Dharmavaram are household names throughout India.

Other interesting crafts are the silver filigree work in Karimnagar, gold covering work on alloy or copper, silver, brass and gold from Machilipatnam, beads and bangles from Kalahasti, in the Chittor district, and silver snake chains from Hyderabad. The Chari wood work is also famous, especially in the Warangal district.

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