KALAMKARI - A TIMELESS ART :
• Kalamkari is a unique textile art form originated in the South Indian Coastal state of Andhra Pradesh.
• It's an art of painting on garments, using natural colors with a pen-tool made of bamboo.
• It is said to be originated in Srikalahasti of Chittore District, the town which is also a famous Shivaite spot.
• This art closely resembles, a piece of cloth painted on a silver vessel, found in archaeological excavations of Harappan Civilization.
• Buddhist monasteries adorn these Kalakari garments and many historians said that Alexander also carried Kalakari garments with him in his return voyage to Macedonia.
Origin :
• 'Kalam' means Pen and 'Kari' means work in Hindi / Urdu. The word may have originated in the 10th century from Persian and Indian trade relations.
• The Portuguese call it 'Pintado'.
• Dutch call used to call it as 'Sitz' and British call it 'Shinj'.
• It is called as 'Block Printing' in Pedana of Krishna District.
• The Block printings we see right now are from Pedana whereas the pictures (handicrafts) are from Kalahasthi.
• Most of these 19th-century artists were of Balija Caste who are traditionally related to agriculture and cottage industries.
• Currently, around three hundred artists in and around Kalahasti are involved in various work related to the making of textiles, colors and other works of this art.
• By the mid 20th century, many artists turned to agriculture or other work making the art finally reach a point where it about to disappear.
• Government recognized the importance of this art with the work of art activist Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay in the 1950s, revitalizing it.
Method of painting Kalamkari :
• The dedication and enthusiasm displayed by artists in the Kalamkari art industry is expressed in their patience.
• Firstly, the garment is made into a canvas that the Kalakari artists want to paint.
• Linen cloth is rinsed in running water four to five times, thoroughly, until the strach in it is lost. No soap or other detergent is used to clean it.
• The cloth is then dipped in a mixture of buffalo milk and Inknut Juice (Karakkai) and dried in the sun.
• The cloth is now ready for the Kalamkari. The fabric is painstakingly painted on the fabric with charcoal granules (Chintha Boggu).
• The images are smeared with a Green vitriol (Annabedhi - Fe2SO4) solution and the images are made of indelible black.
• These are the steps in the long line of kalamkari.
• After Washing, boiling, drawing, painting, drying finally the Kalamkari is finished.
• Machilipatnam is well known for the vast variety of Designs related to this art.
( Idea Credits : Pravallika P )
- Harish Sai Manikanta
Logical Hindustan ©
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