Kalamkari is derived from the word 'Kalam' (pen) and 'Kari' (craftsmanship). Earlier used to be named as 'Pattachitra' a sanskrit word where 'patta' means cloth and 'chitra' is picture. The art of hand painting done on fabrics with the use of a pen or block.
Types– Basically it is classified into two distinctive styles – Srikalahasti style and the Machilipatnam style. The Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari, where the "kalam" or pen is used for freehand drawing of the subject and filling in the colors, is entirely hand worked. Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari work involves vegetable dyed block-painting of a fabric.
Motifs– It include paisleys ,flowers, peacock, and also divine characters from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Kalamakari was born out of an art of story-telling. In ancient times, people used to travel from village to village and told stories; some of them even drew it on a canvas.
Present Trend– Earlier Kalamkari art was as religious paintings that depicted Indian Gods. In current generation printed kalamkari is a new craze as it is a combination of traditional and modern trends. Fashion industry also helped artisans for practicing this art and also beautifully portrayed kalamkari sarees on fashion runways and got a welcoming response. Kalamkari sarees, Kalamkari Dupattas, Kalamkari Scarves, kalamkari dresses and kalamkari blouses are a huge demand.
Shop for Kalamkari sarees online at best price in India, select from a wide range of artistic kalamkari sarees in various colours and designs by using handmade techniques which we offer on different fabrics like Mulmul cotton, Kerala cotton, Chanderi, Bishnupuri silk, Murshidabad silk, Tussar zari border and many other.
