Garment & Textile · Print

Kalamkari

Hand-painted or block-printed cotton from Andhra Pradesh, using natural dyes.

Origin

Andhra Pradesh (Srikalahasti, Machilipatnam)

Era

Medieval

CC-licensed · free to use

Industrialist View

GI-tag. Two schools: Srikalahasti (pen-drawn, temple narrative), Machilipatnam (block-printed). 17 steps using vegetable dyes + iron mordant.

Works best on soft pre-treated cotton — cuff, pallu, yoke panels. Hand-wash only.

Kalam (pen) + kari (work). Patronized by Golconda Nawabs.