Leather puppets and Lamp shades are the hallmark of Andhra Pradesh art and crafts. This form of craft is inextricably linked to the state’s traditional folk and cultural expression, called Leather puppetry. Places like Nimmalakunta in Ananthapur district, Narsaraopet in Guntur district and D.C. Palle in Nellore district are considered the main centres of leather puppet industry in Andhra Pradesh. In Nimmalakunta, artisans practice this as a hereditary craft. Lamp Shades are also made by the same artisans in colorful designs and patterns. The raw materials used are Goat hide and sheep skin and in addition to this, water proof colors, paint-brush and mould is used for lamp shades. Lampshades are created using a mould and most of them are based on mythological figures. The colors derived from vegetables dyes, like brilliant red, green, white, yellow, browns and orange are popular.
Nimmalakunta, Darmavaram, Andhra pradesh
