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 as the main centers 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 sheepskin 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 which are derived from vegetables dyes, like brilliant red, green, white, yellow, browns and orange are popular. Creating small holes inside the decorative patterns enhances the attraction of the lampshade, which is done using a pogaru (chisel). After coloring, the lampshade is dried in the Sunlight for two to three days. Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata inspire artisans to create lampshades of attractive shapes and sizes.
Kalamkari Prints