FASHION TOURISM 201

FASHION TOURISM IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh abbreviated A.P., is a state situated on the

southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and
fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Hyderabad,
Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Guntur,
Warangal and Tirupati are other major cities. The State has the second
longest coastline 972 km (604 mi) among all the States in India. The
official language of Andhra Pradesh is Telugu, while other languages
spoken in Andhra Pradesh are Kannada, Urdu, English, Tamil, and
Hindi.

Andhra Pradesh lies between 12°41' and 22°N latitude and 77° and
84°40'E longitude, and is bordered by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and
Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the East, Tamil Nadu to the
south and Karnataka to the west.

Major cities Hyderabad, Visakhapatanam, Vijayawada,Kakinada,

Rajamahendravaram, Tirupathi,Warangal,Guntur,Kurnool.

Culture

Other cultural elements

Andhra Pradesh State Symbols

State language Telugu (తలుగు)
State symbol Poorna kumbham (పరణకంభం)
State song Maa Telugu Thalliki (మ తలుగు తలలక మలల

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పదండ)
by Sri Sankarambadi Sundaraachari
State animal Black Buck (కృషణ జంక)
State bird Indian Roller (పల పటట)
State tree Neem (వప)
State sport Kabaddi (చడగుడ)
State dance Kuchipudi (కచపడ)
State flower Water lily (కలువ పవవ)

Bapu's paintings, Nanduri Venkata Subba Rao's Yenki Paatalu (Songs

about a washerwoman called Yenki), mischievous Budugu (a character
by Mullapudi), Annamayya's songs, Aavakaaya (a variant of mango
pickle in which the kernel of mango is retained), Gongura (a chutney
from Roselle plant), Atla Taddi (a seasonal festival predominantly for
teenage girls), the banks of river Godavari, and the Dudu basavanna
(the ceremonial ox decorated for door-to-door exhibition during the
harvest festival Sankranthi) have long defined Telugu culture. The
village of Durgi is known for stone craft, producing carvings of idols
in soft stone that must be exhibited in the shade because they are
prone to weathering. Kalamkari is an ancient textile art form dating
back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Andhra Pradesh is famous for doll
making. Dolls are made from wood, mud, dry grass, and lightweight
metal alloys. Tirupathi is famous for redwood carvings. Kondapalli is
famous for mud toys with rich colors. The village of Etikoppaka,
located in Visakhapatnam district, produces lacquered toys. Nirmal
paintings are expressive and are usually painted over a black
background. Story telling in Andhra Pradesh is an art form in itself. Folk
dances unique to Andhra Pradesh include Yaksha ganam, Burra katha
(usually done by three people, telling stories using three different

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musical instruments), Jangama kathalu, Hari kathalu, Chekka bajana,
Urumula natyam (usually done at festivals, where a group of people
dance in circles with loud music), and Ghata natyam (performances
done with earthen pots over one's head).

Arts and Crafts of Andhra Pradesh

There is no dearth of exuberant culture and traditions in Andhra

Pradesh. Here you can find many forms of performing arts, handlooms
and curios. The range of handicrafts is absolutely fantastic at Andhra
Pradesh. They hold a special place in the culture and tradition of the
state.

¤Handicrafts

Some of the most exquisite handicrafts are found in Andhra Pradesh.

Many of them evolved from within the state whereas some were
brought by the people coming to this magnificent state.

¤ Banjara Needle Crafts (Embroidery)

This art form belongs to the nomads and gypsies of

Andhra Pradesh. The embroidery of this form is live
and vibrant. Banjaras in Andhra Pradesh display their
colorful lifestyle through their exuberant clothes.

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¤ Bidri Craft

This craft belongs to the the city of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. It

basically involves silver inlay on metal, which is very exquisite. There
are many legends related to its entry and exit into the country and then
to Andhra Pradesh.
¤ Bronze Casting
The famous bronze idols were based on the verses from the
Shilpashastra. These verses were called dhyana. These verses instruct
the craftsmen about the physical measurements, proportions,
description of the deity, characteristics, symbolism and above all,
aesthetics.

¤ Budithi Brassware
The Budithi Brassware originated from a small village called Budithi in
central Srikakulam, a district in Andhra Pradesh. This place is famous
for creating beautiful shapes out of alloys. These shapes are also
available in modern as well as antique style.

¤ Pembarthi Metal Crafts

Pembarthi is a small village located in the state of Andhra Pradesh at
about 100 kms from Hyderabad. The village is famed worldwide for its
unmatched brassware tradition. This meticulous brass work art
flourished during the reign of Kakatiyas empire.

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¤ Durgi Stone Craft

The famous Durgi stone craft originated in the Durgi. It is situated 10
Kms from Macherla in Andhra Pradesh. There is a school of sculpture
and stone carving located here, which imparts this ancient skill. Some
of the masterpieces of Durgi Stone Craft is found at the
Nagarjunakonda museum.

¤ Kondapalli Toys

The famous Kondapalli toys are made of softwood, known as Tella

Poniki. These toys are also made up of sawdust, tamarind seed powder,
enamel gums and watercolors. After the toy is carved on the wood, a
paste made of tamarind, wood and sawdust is applied for giving further
shapes and attaching limbs etc., to the toy. This art form belongs to the
Kondapalli district of Andhra Pradesh.

¤ Lacquer Ware

The Lacquer craft is widely found in Etikoppaka in Andhra Pradesh. This

place is one of the major centers of this craft. The Lacquer craft
involves the application of lacquer on wood in pleasing shades to create

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a distinguishing appeal.

¤ Nirmal Arts - Paintings & Toys

The Nirmal art is generally found in the Nirmal town, Adilabad district of
Andhra Pradesh. Here, many craftsmen known as Nakash reside. They
are involved in Niramal arts, in which scenes from the Hindu epics,
Mahabharata and Ramayana are painted.

¤ Veena Manufacturing

At Bobbili in Andhra Pradesh, the oldest musical instrument, Saraswati

Veena is manufactured. This instrument is even mentioned in almost all
ancient texts. It is an integral part of Carnatic music, famous all over
the world for its melody and harmony.

¤ Handlooms

The handlooms of Andhra Pradesh are of excellent quality. It is also

famous for its fine saris all over the world. Every region of the state has
its own style and weave.

¤ Chirala Textiles

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The textiles of Chirala are quite famous. The Chirala textile is made by
using a large quantity of oil, which is used in preparing yarn for
weaving. After the fabric is ready, it is wrapped with wax & clay before
being dyed in selected colors .

¤ Dharmavaram Saris

The Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradesh is famous for silk saris all over
the world. These saris are specially worn on functions. They have
simple, plain borders without much contrast. The borders of these saris
are commonly broad having brocaded gold patterns. The borders also
have butta and the pallus of the saris have exclusive designs.

¤ Eluru Carpets

The Eluru in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its woolen pile carpet
industry. This art from was brought to India by the Persians who
migrated to Andhra Pradesh during the Muhammaddin regime. Later,
they developed the carpet industry here.

¤ Gadwal Saris

Gadwal located in Andhra Pradesh is famous all over the world for its
beautiful saris. The body of the Sari is cotton whereas the border and

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pallu are in silk. The cotton and silk fabrics are woven separately and
then attached together.

¤ Ikat Weaving Handlooms

This is a skill that requires a lot of intricacy. It is a style of weaving,

where the yarn is randomly dyed in natural zigzag or geometric
patterns. The Ikat weaving originated in Nalgonda district of andhra
Pradesh. This internationally acclaimed weaving form, is now practiced
mainly in Puttapaka, Pochampalli and Chautuppal villages of andhra
Pradesh.

¤ Kalamkari Fabrics

The Kalamkari is a fabric famous all over the world for its beautiful
vegetable colors used on the clothes. These fabrics include a range of
special mythological designs for Hindus, prayer carpets for
Mohammadans, tent lining cloth, chintz, table clothes and curtain
clothes printed in attractive colors. This art form is found at
Machilipatnam in andhra pradesh.

¤ Mangalagiri Sarees

The Mangalagiri saris and dress materials are made from Mangalgiri
cotton, which is quite popular here. Mangalagiri, located 12 Kms from

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Vijayawada is also an important pilgrimage center in Andhra Pradesh.

¤ Uppada Sarees Handlooms

The Uppada saris are produced in Uppada, a beach town located 20 kms
from Kakinada. It is famous for attractively designed cotton saris. At
Peddapuram, 20 kms from Kakinada one can buy delicately designed
silk saris created by local artisans.

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