Kalamkari

08.07.2024

Kalamkari

Why in the news?

Kalamkari art form which was once-flourishing is now struggling for survival in contemporary times due to the rise of power looms, escalating raw material costs.

About Kalamkari:

• It is a highly popular form of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile and paintings, practiced in Andhra Pradesh.
• Kalamkari emerged as a textile tradition during the reign of Qutb Shahis at Golconda in the 16-17th century.
• The art form originated in Tilang, the region between present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
• “The word ‘Kalam’ meant pen, while ‘Kari’ meant craftsmanship.
• There are two distinct styles of Kalamkari - Srikalahasti and the Pedana style Kalamkari

Pedana style Kalamkari

• It is also known as Machilipatnam style which involves vegetable dyed block-painting of a fabric.
• The artist prints the outlines as well as the main features of his designs with hand-carved wooden blocks.
• It is Persian in character because of its patronage and proximity to the Mughals and the Golconda Sultanate.
• The traditional block prints in this art largely use motifs such as interlacing patterns of leaves and flowers, the cartwheel, different forms of the lotus flower etc.
• This style has received a Geographical Indications tag.

Srikalahasti’s style

• Srikalahasti’s style involves using a traditional pen with a brush to draw the designs.
• The Srikalahasti artisans restricted themselves to making a hand-painted cloth that was primarily used in temples, to either hang behind the deity or on a chariot.
• Theme: Mythological figures became the theme of the art that originated in the temple town.

                                                               Source: The Hindu

Ques :-  With reference to Kalamkari, consider the following statements:

1. It is a form of hand-painted paintings on cotton textiles.

2. It received patronage from the Mughal dynasty.

3. It is one of the popular art forms belonging to Maharashtra.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer B