Andhra Pradesh, is the insignia of the cultural convergence of South India. This fourth largest state of India, displays the wide spectrum of varied population, residing in this land, with their diverse cultural heritage. Andhra Pradesh, once included into the kingdom of Vijaynagar, into the territory of the royal Islam dynasty, the Bahamanis, and much later into the domain of the Nizam of Hyderabad, is thriving in the pleasant harmony of its Muslim and Hindu population.

Costume of a place reflects upon the cultural traditions, the lifestyle, the tastes and preferences and finally the impact of present modernity on the mindsets of its inhabitants. The myriad costumes of Andhra Pradesh , attest the place to be a potpourri of the ancient and the modern.

The folk, rural element is a constituent of Andhra Pradesh`s society. The half-nomadic tribes, hailing from Lambadi or Banjara or Sugalis, are an agricultural sector of the social fabric of Andhra Pradesh. They earn their livelihood through harvesting, sowing, reaping and so on. It is evident that the costumes they would cater to, would represent their life-pattern, class, and likings, in addition to their use of dresses, that suit their climatic and geographical conditions, and social context.

Nevertheless, an Indian women, receives the feminine elegance best in saris, than any other costume. So a wardrobe without saris is incomplete, be it of a smart, image-consciousness urban woman, of Hyderabad, or a simple village woman of Andhra Pradesh.

Saris of the original handlooms of Andhra Pradesh are replete with ethnicity and richness of texture. The Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradesh has a worldwide renown for the production and distribution of gorgeous silk saris. These Dharmavaram saris make for ornate costumes, appropriate for bridal wear, ceremonies, like wedding party, or festivals. The hallmark of these splendid saris is that their borders are generally brocaded with gold plating.

The Gadwal saris, manufactured in Gadwal of Andhra Pradesh, are one of the most exclusive linen, available in the world. What is unique is the sari`s cotton body, with pure silk borders and pallu (the tail-end of the sari).

The Ikkat sari was first woven in the Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh. Now it is chief production-sites are Puttapaka, Pochampalli and Chautuppal villages of andhra Pradesh. A proper knowhow is indispensable in their creation. It require a weaving -pattern, wherein the yarn is arbitrarily dyed in zigzag or geometric structures.

The last category of saris and not the least is the Mangalgir sari, prepared from fine cotton, in Mangalgiri. All these saris are the most happening costumes of Andhra Pradesh, not only, but in India and other parts of the globe also.

The Kalamkari fabric contains the paintings of mythological figures and events with vegetable colours. Kalamkari saris, kurtee (tops), salwar-kameez, have become the order of the day and has become the popular costumes of Andhra Pradesh. This particular art form is prevalent in Machilipatnam of Andhra Pradesh.

Urbanity in its refined form rules in the epicenter of sophistication, Hyderabad. Here it is normal to come across burqha-clad, veiled Muslim woman, working at the same company with today`s cosmopolitan girls, attired in salwar-kameez and jeans-shirts.

The Cyber Towers IT Park, at Madhapur, renders Hyderabad, as one of the leading Silicon Valleys of India. It hence understood, that men and women, working in the world-class multinationals of this cyber-city, would be dressed in formal costumes, apt in their official ambience. While Andhra MNC women wear the costumes of salwar-kameez, saris or formal trousers and shirts, to woo a professional impression, the top-strata executive men, visit offices in formal suits, or sober trousers and shirts. However, this workplace-dress code is almost the same for any reputed MNCs, not only in India, but around the world. This official costume of Andhra Pradesh, furnishes the state with a global character.

The crowning glory of the costumes of Andhra Pradesh, is the awesome Hyderabad`s pearls. The enthusiastic Nizam`s of Hyderabad inaugurated pearl trade. The pearl small-industries, craftsmen and jewelers are situated near the well-known Charminar. The cost of pearls varies according to radiance, shape and size. Color and luster of pearls are verified in daylight, whereas their authenticity is checked in a curious manner. If the pear is real, then it will be felt as rugged, when rubbed against the edges of one`s teeth, and if not, it is proved, that the item is false in quality.

The magnificent finesse of the costumes of Andhra Pradesh , definitely highlights the deft craftsmanship of the different handlooms and textile-industries. Furthermore, pearls have always been a woman`s pride. Therefore, the costumes of Andhra Pradesh cast such an enigmatic spell , that not only the denizens of the state, are spellbound with their aura, but also the tourists who flock there, to appease their appetite for exotic garments and pearl-jewellery.