In this article, we will discuss the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh. I will tell you about the types of traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh for both men and women, and their significance. We will also shed light on the fact whether people in Andhra Pradesh still prefer traditional wear or have shifted to modern attires.
Introduction
If there is one core memory of my school which I have, then that would be of Children’s day. That was the only day when we would ditch our everyday school uniform and get dressed in fancy attires.
Some used to dress like a policeman, some like a princess, or a magician, or a superman, etc. But what I widely remember and the thing which intrigued me the most was when I used to see people from different cultures dressed up in their adorable traditional attires.
There was a different kind of happiness whenever I used to wear traditional clothing in childhood. My friends and I used to plan beforehand on Children’s day, and we loved getting ready for the day. I remember my mother and Grandma helping me to dress up.
Thanks to the values instilled in me by my Grandma, I still adore traditional wear, and my eyes will still be glued to someone if I see them wearing it.
This is the beauty of our country, India. So many religions, and so many cultures, yet each and every culture or tradition stands out in its own way. None is superior or inferior, but all are beautiful and worthy of praise.
Traditions are important as they instill values in us and always keep us grounded, reminding us where we came from. Likewise, traditional clothes are our identity, our uniqueness.
Although there are so many traditional clothes of different religions and states in India, today, let us discuss the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh.
Traditional Dresses of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh, also referred to as the Kohinoor of India, has a great set-up of textile industries. It is very well known for the fabrics, weaving and dyeing techniques, different types of sarees, etc.
Let’s first talk about the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh for women.
Sarees
A Saree is a stunning and unique piece of clothing, and it is considered to be the traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh. When a saree is worn with proper plaiting and matching jewelry, it makes the person wearing it appear more beautiful.
There are different types of sarees that are worn as the traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh for women.
- Dharmavaram Sarees
- PochampallySarees
- Venkatgiri Sarees
- Narayanpet Sarees
- Mangalgiri Sarees
- Gadwal Sarees
- Uppada Sarees
Let me explain each of the types in a brief so that you get a clear idea.
Dharamavaram Sarees
The name for these sarees is because of the place they are made in. Dharamavaran is a very well-known place situated in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district.
These sarees are very heavy and are usually worn by brides or by women on very important functions. The sarees come in a variety of color combinations like yellow, pink, blue, green, and maroon.
Dharamavaram sarees are made using silk fabric. The pallu and border of these sarees have zari work done manually by talented craftsmen and artists.
Pochampally sarees
Pochampally sarees are sarees made using the traditional method, and they are also known as ‘Ikkat Sarees.’ They are usually made of either silk or cotton material and are woven by hand.
These sarees are manufactured in a remote village located in Andhra Pradesh’s Nalgonda district and are one of the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh for women.
Venkatgiri Sarees Traditional Dresses of Andhra Pradesh
These are perfect for daily wear or during the summers as they are very lightweight. Venkatgiri sarees are made of vibrant colors and have beautiful patterns of leaves or parrots.
They are made of materials like cotton and silk. These are made in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district.
Narayanpet Sarees
These sarees are made in Andhra Pradesh’s Mahbubnagar district. Narayanpet sarees are extremely comfortable to wear as the saree is mostly plain. The pallu and border are hands embroidered with zari work.
These sarees can be worn daily or on casual occasions as they are light weight.
Mangalgiri Sarees
These are woven sarees usually made of cotton and are woven using the pit-loom weaving technique. Mangalgiri sarees, a type of traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh for women, are sarees that are plain or have stripes. 
They have a pallu of contrasting color, and the pallus have beautiful zari work on them. These are made in Mangalgiri town in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district.
Gadwal Sarees
These sarees are made of cotton and have a plain body with borders or pallus having zari work. Gadwal sarees are made using the Kupadam style and are manufactured in Andhra Pradesh’s Mahbubnagar.
The sarees have attractive and bright colors like maroon, red, green, orange, and parrot-green.
Uppada Sarees Traditional Dresses of Andhra Pradesh
These sarees are woven using the Jamdani style of weaving. These sarees are made in Andhra Pradesh’s Uppada town. Uppada sarees are made using cotton fabric and have patterns of silver or gold zari work.
So these were the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh for women. All of these sarees represent the culture of Andhra Pradesh, be it the weaving style, the towns they are made in, the traditional zari work, and so. They look absolutely beautiful when worn, and women in Andhra Pradesh love to wear these sarees.
Traditional Dresses of Andhra Pradesh for Men
The traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh for men is usually a Dhoti and Kurta. They also wear a shirt with a lungi.
- Dhoti is a large piece of cloth, usually of white color, worn in a way that the lower body is covered from waist to legs. It is wrapped around the waist.
- Lungi is worn similarly to that of a dhoti, except that they come in different colors, and some are also striped.
- Kurta is a loose, comfortable shirt, which goes up to the knees, and is usually made of cotton. For special occasions or marriages, kurtas are made using silk fabric with zari work.
Conclusion
So this was about the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh. Although people like to wear western wear more nowadays. But during festivals or marriages, people usually wear traditional attire.
People who are old usually prefer traditional attires as they are more comfortable in them. However, people in Andhra Pradesh still respect their traditional clothing. No matter how modern they become, their love and adoration for their traditional attires will be the same.
I hope this article seemed interesting to you. You can also check articles like traditional dresses of Maharashtra and the Kumaon Regiment.
