Kalamkari is an exquisite form of art work of painting and printed fabrics. This Indian art evolved about 3000 years ago and this legacy has been handed down the generations. Kalamkari craft also known as Qalamkari is a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile produced in parts of India and in Iran. It derives its name from Persian words ‘Ghalam’ or ‘Kalam’ which means pen, and ‘Kari’ which means work or craftsmanship, hence if translated literally it means Pen-work i.e. art work done using a pen or drawing with a pen (Ghalamkar).
The art of Kalamkari work includes both painting and printing. Traditionally and often even today, organic colours are used in creation of these paintings where most of these dyes and colours are
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The J. J. School of Art, Bombay is one such beneficiary. They are presently experimenting with this art form on Silk Ikat (i.e., tie and dye textiles popular in Pochampally, Andhra Pradesh). Styles of Kalamkari
There are two distinctive styles of Kalamkari art in India - one, the Srikalahasti style and the other, the Machilipatnam style of art. The Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari, wherein the "kalam" or pen is used for free hand drawing of the subject and filling in the colours, is entirely hand worked.
a. Srikalahasti Style
A small temple township located in the Chitoor district, Andhra Pradesh; Srikalahasti is one of the famous and significant pilgrimage centre site for Hindus in South India. The history of this place dates back to the age of Kannappa - the first of 63 Nayanmars. It houses the famous Kalahastisvara temple dedicated to Lord Siva. Built during the middle-Chola period, this temple is rich in stone carvings and decorative patterns which till date remain to be the source of motivation for the Kalamkari
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The technique of drawing on the fabric during this era is characterised by black, bold, sharp lines and an uninterrupted attempt to excel in detailing. This characteristic aspect of painting is observed in the mural panels of temples like Veerabhadraswamy temple which belongs to 16th century A.D. and also in the Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh.
Srikalahasti Kalamkari, under the influence of these Hindu rulers, blossomed around such Hindu temples and their benefaction and patronage; thus was having more or less religious distinctiveness in the form of painting on scrolls, temple hangings, chariot banners and the resembling. It follows free hand drawing techniques and the panels are used as decorative elements in temples and on chariots. The painted cloths were basically used as temple cloths for canopying and as backcloth and were considered as a component of the rituals as well as a comprehensive part of