.
Design Resource
Kalamkari Painting
The Art of Fabric Painting using Natural Links
by
Introduction
Sri Kalahasti is located 37Km away from Tirupati in Chitoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Kalahasti is well known for its traditional Kalamkari printing. The word Kalamkari is derived from the word Kalam-bamboo pen and Kari-craftsmanship. Kalamkari is a type of fabric printing traditionally done on the cotton cloth using natural materials without adding any chemicals. The craft was originated during the period of Sri Krishnadevaraya and later it is patronized by Dr. Kamala Devi Chattopadhyaya. The availability of natural raw materials, good and supporting climatic conditions, abundant river water from Swarnamukhi river etc. together make Srikalahasti an ideal place for the production of Kalamkari. Kalamkari prints illustrate episodes from puranas like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
