The Kalamkari Art Of Hand-painting Applied To The
Saree Accentuates Its Grace And Appeal.Kalamkari is an
intricate process of hand-painting and block printing on the saree that significantly
raises the appeal of the fabric. An ethnic art from the State of Andhra
Pradesh, India, it has been tried successfully on different fabrics and styles,
from other parts of the country as well, yielding stupendous results.Kalamkari,
meaning craftsmanship through the use of a pen, is an ethnic art involving
hand-painting or block printing on Sarees.
The Kalamkari was originally hand-painting on cotton fabrics to elevate
their looks. Today it loosely includes free hand-painting on any cotton fabric
through the use of vegetable dyes. Once, only cotton fabrics had kalamkari done
on them. Today it includes silk, and many other synthetic yarns too.
Two styles
namely – the Machilipatnam style and the Srikalahasti style are still prevalent in Andhra Pradesh,
in places by these names.Both styles of Kalamkari are distinctive and enjoy their own following. Kalamkari painting is an arduous process of dyeing
and hand printing. Several stages of washing and treatment to the fabric prior
to the painting and after it, is undergone before the final product is ready.Srikalahasti
Style, having royal patronage of Hindu kings and being associated with temples,
was influenced by Hindu scriptures and mythology. It mostly has subjects of
Gods, temple hangings, epic scenes and other religious themes, in its
‘Kalamkari’. Certain marked features of this style are simplicity, good use of
colour with some colours given prominence, sharpness in the depictions, and the
use of motifs.
The
Machilipatnam style having Islamic influence uses more of flora and fauna as
themes in its work.Natural dyes
are employed for colours, in Kalamkari, with cotton, silk, crepe, georgette
being the usual fabrics as canvas for this art. Myrobalan along with buffalo
milk is used for fixing of colour reagents. Myrobalan is preferred for its high
tannin content which helps adhesion. For drawing the contours and fine lines,
the Kalam or pen is used. Sometimes it is also for doing the coloured lines.
The pen could be a bamboo piece that would be dipped in fermented jaggery.Kalamkari is
experimented as patch work on other fabrics in various colour combinations. Motifs
are some of the popular subjects like trees, creepers, flowers, leaves and
birds.Some
Kalamkari creations, that have been introduced in the market, have been
received enthusiastically, encouraging more innovations to follow.
Natural
dyes are used in this painting. Kalamkari printing is beautiful and done on
various fabrics like cotton, silk, georgette, chiffon, crape and supernet.
Trees, creepers, flowers, leaf and birds are some of the popular motifs.
Kalamkari patch work over other fabrics is fashion and in demand.Fancy kalamkari
printing on south pure cotton sari is a refreshing attire of whole day.
Appealing kalamkari hand painted on chanderi silk saree is eye-catching. And
are apt to wedding, bridal occasions, corporate office, traditional festivals
like sankranthi, diwali, dussehra, pongal. Designer embroidered sico sarees of
kalamkari patch border with an elegant pallu are a wonderful party wear.
It mostly has subjects of
Gods, temple hangings, epic scenes and other religious themes, in its
‘Kalamkari’. Certain marked features of this style are simplicity, good use of
colour with some colours given prominence, sharpness in the depictions, and the
use of motifs.Fancy Kalamkari prints on
South Pure Cotton Sarees offer a refreshing look.Employed on the Chanderi
Silk Saree, the Kalamkari addition makes it look so grand, that it makes the
Saree apt for weddings, bridal attire, corporate wear, as also suitable wear
for festivals like Sankranthi, Diwali, Dusherra, Pongal etc. Designer embroidered Sico
sarees having a Kalamkari Patch border with an elegant pallu to match, are most
suitable for parties and functions.
Unnatisilks also trades in places like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ernakulum, Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Kochi and many other Indian cities. We also do worldwide express shipping to countries like Russia, Germany, China, United Kingdom (UK), UAE, Dubai, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, South Africa, Korea and others.
Contact:
UNNATI SILK PRINTS PVT. LTD,#3-4-360, Vajra Complex, General Bazar (Tobacco Bazar), M.G.Road, Hyderabad-500003.AP,India.040-64555251 or 97000 57744.
www.unnatisilks.com
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