Kalamkari
is from ‘Kalam’ (pen) and ‘Kari’ (craftsmanship), words taken from the Persian
for the art of hand painting done on fabrics with the use of a pen and extended
to include hand block printing. There are two schools of art that developed
Kalamkari initially in India and from individual origins.
Srikalahasti style that used the pen for drawing
and filling in the colours, and with a strong influence of Hindu culture that
specifically focused on religious subjects and scenes from the epics Ramayana
and Mahabharata in its paintings. The Machilipatnam style that came with an
Islamic slant, had subjects of paintings mostly depicting flora and fauna, with
floral designs as a backdrop on the fabric.
Both
styles that have popularised Kalamkari have one thing in common – the
depictions are fine and neatly drawn, there is extensive use of organic colours
which are fast, there is no dilution in the skill and quality over the years.
Today’s Kalamkari has both these styles merged into one with different facets
within the art.
The essence of Kalamkari
Kalamkari saris showcase the traditional
simplicity, elaborate themes, sharp detailing and attractive motifs in a host
of bright and pleasing hues. Kalamkari comes off beautifully on a whole lot of
fabrics like silk, cotton, sico art silks such as georgette, chiffon, Supernet,
crepe silk and others. With vegetable dyes being used, colours are fast and long
lasting. Motifs with trees, creepers, flowers, leaves, birds are popular
subjects.
Gloss on the fabric comes from the traditional
use of some natural substances such as myrobalan, cow’s milk, cow dung, seeds,
plants and crushed flowers in the paintings. The etching of lines and applying
of colour is done with a finely sharpened short bamboo piece which reflects the
devotion and skill of the ethnic craftsmen to bring about such exquisite
masterpieces despite the limited resources. A time-consuming and arduous task,
that involves patience and dedication, it is the sharpness of the lines, the
fine details and the picturesque outcome that make this ethnic effort worth its
while.
Kalamkari saris in the printed variety have block prints featuring floral designs and
geometrical patterns arranged in designer fashion. Modern abstract designs have
also been included in recent times to resounding applause from the market.Ethnic
art is like any other art. It is however the toil and the effort in producing
these exceptional works of detail and flawlessness despite the limited
resources available, that truly give it its value.
Buy kalamkari sarees online at
Unnati Silks
There are fine pure Tussar Silk Sarees with multi-colour Kalamkari. where
multi-colour borders and thematic representations on the pallu or end piece
that go well with the central design. You have the largely plain or lightly
adorned sarees with attractive hand painted bootis all over. Then you have the
veg.dyed sarees in Dupion silk and Supernet that have finely marked lines and
accentuate the effect of the pictorial depictions. There are other fine offerings in cotton and other fabrics that make the
Kalamkari sarees a prized possession.
Contact:
Unnati Silks Prints Pvt.Ltd
# 3-4-360, Oils Complex,
General Bazar (Tobacco
Bazar),
MGRoad,
Hyderabad-500 003.
AP, India.