About this Art Form
Kalamkari literally means 'pen work' — kalam (pen) and kari (craft). This ancient textile art from Andhra Pradesh involves hand-painting or block-printing on cotton fabric using natural dyes. The Srikalahasti style uses a bamboo or date-palm pen to draw mythological narratives, while the Machilipatnam style uses hand-carved wooden blocks. The fabric undergoes a 23-step process of bleaching, dyeing and fixing to achieve its rich, lasting colours.
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