The literal meaning of Kalamkari is a painting done by kalam (pen).
These paintings are made in Andhra Pradesh.
Why Kalamkari painting is regarded as a continuous legacy?
This art form is a continuous legacy from father to son.This art got enriched as it came down from one generation to another.
Must read: Mithila paintings
Kalamkari painting is hand painted or block printed?
Kalamkari art is hand painted as well as block printed.
What type of colours are used in Kalamkari painting?
Vegetable dyes are used for colour on cloth in the Kalam Kari work.
The kalamkari dyes are obtained by extracting colours from plant roots, leaves, along with salts of iron, tin, copper, alum etc.
Must read: Phad paintings
Which place is famous for Kalamkari painting?
A small place Sri-Kalahasti ( Andhra Pradesh) is the best known centre of Kalamkari art.
This work is also found at Masaulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
Where Kalamkari paintings were mostly done?
Kalamkari art is mainly related to decorating temple interiors with painted clothpanels.
Figures of deities have a very rich border embellishments and were created for the temples.
Must read: Warli paintings
When Kalamkari painting developed?
It was developed in the fifteenth century under the patronage of Vijaynagar rulers.
This art was started on garments, bed covers and curtains. The artists use a bamboo or date palm stick pointed at one end with a bundle of fine hair attached to the other end to serve as brush or pen.
Must read: Bani Thani Painting
What are the subjects of Kalamkari painting?
Subjects are adopted from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Hindu religious mythology.
How Kalamkari painting is done?
After deciding the subject of the painting, scène after scene is painted.
Every scene is surrounded by floral decorative patterns.
Must read: Kalighat paintings
The outlines and main features are done using hand carved blocks.
The finer details are later done using the pen.
These paintings are made on cloth. They are very durable and flexible in size and made according to theme.
STYLES OF KALAMKARI PAINTINGS
1 . Masulipatnam Kalamkari
Owing to Muslim rule in Golconda, the Masulipatnam Kalamkari was influenced by Persian motifs & designs, widely adapted to suit their taste. The outlines and main features are done using hand carved blocks. The finer details are later done using the pen.
2 . Sri Kalahasti Style
The Kalahasti tradition which developed in the temple region mostly concentrated on themes form Hindu mythology, epics (Ramayana, Mahabharatha), images of Gods and heroes.
3 . Karrupur Style
Karrupur(Tamil Nadu) is a style of Kalamkari that developed in the Thanjavur region during the Maratha rule.
The Kalamkari work was a further embellishment to the gold brocade work in the woven fabric, which was used as sarees & dhotis by the royal family during the period of Raja Sarfoji and later Raja Shivaji.
In Tamil Nadu, the Karuppur kalamkari paintings has received the geographical indication (GI) tags.
External link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamkari
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Kalamkari painting refers to: UPSC 2015
(a) hand-painted cotton textile in South India
(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
(c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India
Answer : (a)
