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 Andhra
Pradesh has a rich tradition in handicrafts,
with craftsmanship handed down from
generation to generation. The state abounds
in varied forms of art and traditional
crafts, ranging from leather puppetry to
Ikat weaving; each of them highly developed
and specialized. The crafts are still
practiced as a family or cottage industry. A visit to Chirala, in Prakasam district, a
major weaving centre, one may find several
families working on looms or dyeing the
yarn, in a very similar way as was done
centuries ago. Collections such as
traditional arts and crafts are available in
several emporia in Hyderabad and other
places, from Government handloom
cooperatives to handicraft stores.
The ethnic handicrafts of Andhra Pradesh are
as follows:
Bidri is a metal craft that derives its name
from Bidar, the hometown of this exquisite
craft. The basic material used is an alloy
of zinc, oxidized and intricately inlaid
with silver. This famous art can be traced
back to the Kakatiyas. Decorative,
beautifully painted wooden articles like
furniture, bowls, lamps, ashtrays, boxes are
typical items.
Ikat Weaving
 The most unique and popular handloom heritage of Andhra Pradesh is
KAIT. IKAT weaving is a heritage craft that even survives today. The IKAT weavers prepare the yarn for weaving by dipping it in oil and then weaving it into fabric. The semi- finished fabric is waxed and covered in clay as per the design envisaged by the weaver. This enables the subsequent dying process to take place in a select, controlled manner. Typical items include sarees, blankets, mats, carpets, coasters, fancy bags etc.
Pembarthi Sheet Metal Ware
 Pembarthy, a five-century old art that descended from the practice of embellishing chariots and statues is a popular Brassware craft. With the passage of time and constant adaptation to changing circumstances, the art has absorbed all the good influences that came its way, like the Islamic touch during the days of the Nizam. Typical items of this sheet metal art are large containers, frames and plaques.
Wood Carving
 Endowed with a rich forest cover, Andhra Pradesh has given rise to several types of wood carvings. The themes are gods, goddesses, figurines, birds, animals etc. The minutely sculpted piece is breathtaking. Red Sanders with its distinctive reddish brown appeal is used in the making of panels and columns.
Banjara Needle Craft
 Armed with just a thread and needle, the tribal Banjaran women transform any ordinary looking cloth into a colorful piece of art. The distinctive feature of Banjara works is the extensive use of mirrors. Typical items include cushion covers, bags, shirts, kurtas, bed spreads etc.
Kalamkari
 The pen-painted fabrics of Machilipatnam and Kalahasti, known for their intricate and detailed designs, are used in clothing and wall decorations. These designs are outlined with a cotton-tipped bamboo stick and dyed in vegetable or mineral colours - black from palm jaggery and rusted iron, red from madder, yellow from the dried myrobalan fruit and blue from indigo. Each design can take several days of concentration to complete, as the process of dyeing is very elaborate. While smaller pieces are hand-drawn, large canvasses and sheets are block-printed. The Kalahasti school is noted for its wall panels depicting mythological tales and characters, while the Machilipatnam school for the block-painted, large pieces used for sarees or linen.
Fabrics
 Andhra Pradesh is well known for its handloom sarees, both cotton and silk. These come from the looms in Gadwal, Kothakota, Dharmavaram, Narayanapet, and Venkatagiri. Each of these weaving styles are distinct, producing a unique variety of fabric. Most of these traditional works have beautiful borders, often with ornate gold thread-work. Gadwal is especially noted for its fine cotton fabric, with silk and gold borders. Dharmavaram produces silks that are attractive in design.Pedapuram too produces handloom silks that are ideal for dress making. Narayanapet is famous for its cotton and silk sarees. Venkatagiri and Kothakota are known for pure cottons with zari (gold thread).
Silver Filigree-Karimnagar
A variety of thin and delicately worked silver articles of jewellery and household items are the hallmarks of silver filigree work. Intricately twisted strands of silver are braided together, hammered out into a gentle lattice work of frail artistic grandeur. Generally the silver filigree craftsperson shapes key chains, boxes, trays, etc.
Budithi
One of the less talked about and yet a very special handicraft is Budithi. It is practiced in Srikakulam. The objects of Budithi art are planters, pots, ashtrays, decorative floral patterns etc., slender necks and exquisite body shapes are highlights of Budithi art.
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