ART AND CRAFT World Famous For : Real Pearls. Ethnic Items : Kalamkari Works, Banjara Embroidery. Famous Markets : Hyderabad for Pearls, Machilipatnam, Srikalahasti. Best Picks : Real Sea Pearls, Metal Handicrafts, Carpets.

Andhra Pradesh Cities Hyderabad

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Charminar

Arts and Crafts - The Traditional Heritage

Like it was in the earlier centuries, Andhra Pradesh is still considered a state blessed with the skills to produce magical art works out of the most unexpected. The skills of earlier craftsmen has passed down the generation which has absorbed new features to their work, making them more appealing to the people of today. However adding new styles, the old charm is still retained, diminished in no way. Different areas of the state are famous for different kinds of art work. Hyderabad is most famous for its pearl collection where as the most famous art item, the Kalamkari art is found in towns like Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti.

Hyderabad Pearls

It is the pearls of the Hyderabad that earned it the name 'Pearl City of India'. It was during the time when the Nizams were at their affluent most that different types of pearls from around the world were brought into Hyderabad. And since then Hyderabad has become famous for its pearls and is the main center for pearl trading. The pearls here are differentiated according to their size and lusture and shape. As expected the bigger the pearl, costlier it is. The market around the Charminar is the most famous for pearl shopping as it is hub to many jewelers, both century old and most modern.

Carpets

Exquisite carpet works were brought to Andhra Pradesh by the Mughals. From that time till today, the methods and styles of carpet making have undergone few changes which has created a genre of carpets. The carpets that are made today are mainly in Indo-Persian styles. The designs found on the carpets are named after the famous artists or the theme that it is representing. The designs are mostly floral designs or geometric figures. Elluru, a small town near Masulipatnam is the main center for carpet weaving.

Banjara Embroidery

Banjara needle work is a unique and special art work with no specialization. This is said so, because Banjara embroidery does not represent a single culture or style. It is a mixture of many different methods and ideas. Banjara Embroidery belongs to the nomad class of Andhra Pradesh. Today they live in communities called 'Tandas'. Since they used to roam around form one place to another, their art was influenced by the styles of various culture with which they intermingled. Their clothes are stitched with exquisite designs and mirror work which perfectly compliment the other jewelery they adorn.

Kalamkari Works

Kalamkari is the most famous art export from Andhra Pradesh for its uniqueness. Kalamkari is the art of painting on fabrics with the help of a pen. The colors for this splendid art work is extracted from plants like Rubia Tinctorum and Indigofera Anil. However, this practice has seen a huge decline as artists today prefer artificially synthesized indigo and alizarine for coloring. Kalamkari too, started by sporting only religious designs. And during tough times, Kalamkari was kept alive inside many temples of Andhra Pradesh. Though today, its base for designs has broadened quite a bit. Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti are the main centers for practicing and shopping for Kalamkari works.

Wood Carvings

Creating splendid items of wood has been on in Andhra Pradesh from centuries back. And with every passing phase it has only become more and more spectacular. Wood work is an absolutely specialized field which requires high levels of skills and perseverance. Idols of gods are the main sculptures that are created out of wood. It is also used for making musical instruments, huge temple arches, trinkets and much more.
Kondapalli Toys are another major items that are made out of softwood, known in Andhra Pradesh as Tella Poniki. The toy is first carved on wood, and them paste of tamarind, wood and saw dust is used to further enhance its shape.