Andhra Fine Khadi Karmika Abhivrudhi SanghamPonduru, Srikakulam
Hand-spun Ponduru khadi dhotis, sarees and shirting
The workers' society through which most genuine Ponduru khadi is produced and sold. Counts are stated openly, and the higher ones are made to order rather than kept in stock.
Girijan Cooperative Corporation outletsVisakhapatnam, Araku, Paderu
Araku coffee, forest honey, tamarind, millets and gum
The state cooperative that buys minor forest produce from Adivasi collectors. Buying here is the simplest way to be sure the money goes up the hill rather than to a trader on the road.
The Etikoppaka toy workshopsEtikoppaka, Anakapalli
Lathe-turned lacquered toys in vegetable dye
Working lathes rather than a shop front. The vegetable-dye palette was deliberately revived here in the 1990s after the cluster had drifted to chemical colours, and it is now the cluster's main selling point.
Bobbili veena workshopsBobbili and Gollapalli, Vizianagaram
Full-size ekanda veenas and miniature souvenir instruments
A full instrument takes weeks and is ordered, not bought off a shelf. The miniatures subsidise the real ones.
Budithi brass workshopsBudithi, Srikakulam
Beaten brass and bell-metal vessels
The thin walls and the lathe-polished finish are what distinguish the work from cast brass.
Anakapalli jaggery market yardAnakapalli
Cane jaggery in blocks and pots, sold at auction
One of the largest jaggery markets in India, and the reason the local kitchen sweetens its sour dishes.
Palasa and Kasibugga cashew tradersPalasa, Srikakulam
Graded cashew kernels
Sold by whole-kernel count and breakage. Broken grades cost a fraction of whole and taste the same, which matters if the nuts are going into cooking.
Lepakshi and APCOVisakhapatnam and Vizianagaram
State handicrafts and handloom emporia
Fixed prices and reliable provenance for Etikoppaka, Budithi and Ponduru work.
Visakhapatnam fishing harbourVisakhapatnam
Morning sea catch, sold at auction
Early and loud. The dried-fish racks are alongside, and they are how the monsoon gets eaten.