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| Facts & Figures |
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| Area |
2,75,068 sq km |
| Population |
73,433,000 |
| Annual Rainfall |
400 mm to 2,500 mm |
| Maximum Temperature |
40°C |
| Minimum Temperature |
13°C |
| Capital |
Hyderabad |
| Languages |
Telugu, Urdu |
| Literacy Rate |
45% |
| Urbanisation Ratio |
26.89% |
| Per Capita Income |
10,590 (at current prices in 1997-98) |
| Best Time to Visit |
October to March |
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Introduction
The state of Andhra Pradesh is recognized variously-for its legendary dynasties; for its most revered temple, Tirupati; for its beautiful language, Telugu; for its lacquer toys and beautiful weaves; rich literature and the vibrant Kuchipudi. Andhra Pradesh has often been called the “food bowl of the south.” There are ruins, palaces, museums, and ports apart from the sacred Tirupati, where one can leave one’s prayers to be answered.
Geographical Information
Location
Located in south India, Andhra Pradesh is bounded by Tamil Nadu in the south, Maharashtra in the north and northwest, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the northeast, Karnataka in the west, and by the Bay of Bengal in the east. It is situated on the Deccan plateau and is one of the oldest geological formations of the country.
Physical Features
Both in terms of area, as well as population, Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest state in the country. The Godavari and Krishna rivers cut through the state, forming large deltas before joining the Bay of Bengal. The Tungabhadra, an important tributary of the Krishna, is yet another important river of the state.
The state can be divided into three important regions-the coastal region, comprising of nine districts, generally called Andhra; the interior region, consisting of four districts collectively known as Rayalseema; and the Telengana region, consisting of the capital Hyderabad and nine adjoining districts.
Climate
The climate is generally hot and humid. The summer temperatures vary from 20°C to 40°C, while in winter it is between 13°C and 32°C. The southwest monsoons play a major role in determining the climate of the state. The northeast monsoons are responsible for about one-third of the total rainfall in Andhra Pradesh.
Flora and Fauna
Andhra Pradesh has a wide variety of wildlife and natural beauty. As one travels in the state, one can find diverse landscapes-from a lush coastal area to a dry deciduous forest to a mangrove belt. The state is home to India's largest tiger reserve, in the Nallamai forest. The Godavari river delta is famous for reptiles like the salt-water crocodile, fishing cats and other exotic animals. India's largest pelican refuge at Kolleru Lake, which is also a haven for migrating birds, is an important tourist site.
History
The earliest mention of the Andhras appears in the Aitareya Brahmana (800 BC). It was called Dakshina Padh during those days. Andhras, Pulindas, Sabaras, and many other sects lived in Dakshina Padh. In the Mauryan age, the Andhras were a political power in the Deccan. Megasthenes, who visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya (322-297 BC), mentioned that the Andhra country had 30 fortified towns and an army of 1,00,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. The Buddhist religious books reveal that Andhras established their kingdoms on the Godavari belt at that time. Even Ashoka referred in his 13th rock edict that the Andhras were his subordinates.
The flourishing Satvahana Empire, which followed the Mauryas, covered the entire Deccan plateau by the 1st century AD. From the seventh to the 10th centuries, the Chalukyas ruled the state. This was followed by the rule of the Cholas, Kakatiyas, and the powerful Vijayanagar Empire. By the 16th century AD, the Qutab Shahi dynasty established its firm foothold in and around Hyderabad. The Nizams, as the rulers of Hyderabad were called, maintained their rule, even during the advent of the French and British. Andhra Pradesh was constituted as a separate state on October 1, 1953, comprising the 11 districts of the erstwhile Madras state, and made Kurnool the capital. By November 1, 1956, the Nizam’s state of Hyderabad was amalgamated to the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Introduction
Ethnicity
Arts and Crafts
Due to its diversified socio-cultural and religious influences, the handicrafts of Andhra Pradesh prospered around the temples, courts, villages and tribal communities. Bidri is a metal craft of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from Bidar, the hometown of this exquisite craft and the basic material used is alloy of zinc, oxidized and intricately inlaid with silver. Nirmal is a famous art that can be traced back to the Kakatiyas. Decorative, beautifully painted wooden articles like furniture, bowls, lamps, ashtrays, and boxes are typical items of Nirmalware. 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, made from buffalo hide, bleached and tinted with local paints are famous in Andhra Pradesh. The most popular figures are the heroes and villains from mythology. The artisans of Hyderabad have perfected the art of creating articles of jewelry from the days of the Golconda kingdom. 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 Machilipattnam, beads and bangles from Kalahasti, in the Chittor district, and silver snake chains from Hyderabad. The Chari woodwork is also famous, especially in the Warangal district.
Music and Dance
Kuchipudi is Andhra Pradesh’s most outstanding contribution towards the enrichment of the Indian culture. It began in the dance-drama form dating back to the 15th century. Its birthplace was Kuchipudi village near the Krishna River. A fine combination of Natya, Nritta, and Nritya, Kuchipudi was never a solo affair and required a number of actors. Men and boys who received vigorous training in abhinaya, music, dancing, and singing, presented it in the open air on a stage. Kuchipudi has also recently evolved into a solo dance style. The solo dances are characterized by a rich expression, fast rhythms, swinging knee movements and circular movement of the arms.
Inhabited by many large tribes, Andhra Pradesh presents a rich wealth of traditional folk and tribal dances. Bathakamma, Gobbi, Mathuri, Dhamal, Dandaria, Dappu, and Vadhyam are a few famous tribal dances. The dances of the Banjaras and the Siddi tribes are also famous. Other dance forms of Andhra Pradesh include Veeranatyam, Butta Bommalu, Chindu Bhagawatam, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Bonalu, and Dhimsa. 'Tholubommalata', a shadow puppetry theatre is a fascinating folk art.
Fairs and Festivals
Hindu festivals such as Dussehra, Deepavali, Sri Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Vinayaka Chavithi or Ganesh Chaturthi and Maha Shivratri are celebrated in the state. Similarly, Muslim festivals such as Bakr Id and Id-ul-Fitr and Christian festivals like Christmas, Easter and New Year's Day are also celebrated with gaiety. However, the celebrations of Ugadi (Telugu New Year's day in March-April) and Sankranti (in January) are unique in the state. Bathakamma is special to the Telengana region. In the month-long festival, Goddess Bathakamma’s idol is worshipped and is made to float on the rivers and lakes.
The annual tourism events include the Visaka Utsav (from the third Friday to Sunday of January), Deccan Festival (on the 25th of February, of which the Pearls and Bangles Fair is a part), Rayalseema Food and Dance Festival (in October, at Tirupati) and Lumbini Festival (from the second Friday to Sunday of December, at Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad).
Attire
The attire of people from Andhra Pradesh shows impact of North and South Indian culture. Sari, salwar kameej, and churidaar are the clothes that women of this state generally wear. Men generally wear a kurta with lungi (a piece of cloth worn around the waist). Western influence has increased the popularity of trousers, shirts, and jeans in recent years.
Cuisine
Pulihara (or tamarind rice) is the main course in Andhra Pradesh, and green chilies add spice to the cuisine. The Andhra pickle-sharp and extremely hot-is a favorite all over the country. Papads, roasted or fried, are another popular condiment. Due to the rule of the Nawabs and Nizams, there is also a strong Muslim influence on the cuisine in the form of rich, spicy local dishes, especially in the area around the capital. The world famous Hyderabadi Biryani, a blend of rice and meat cooked over hot coals, the Nahari, the Kulcha and the Kebabs have a lot in common with the northern Mughlai cuisine. Other very famous dishes include Bagara Baingan, or seasoned eggplant, and Haleem (spiced pounded wheat with mutton). A wide variety of fruit, like custard apples, grapes like the Anab-e-shahi, and apricots like the Khobani provide a neutralizing effect over the spicy food.
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