Handcrafted Penkalamkari on Handloom Kanchi Silk Saree

Description

Srikalahasti Kalamkari is a style of Kalamkari work which involves dyed hand-painting of a fabric. It is produced in Srikalahasti of Chittoor district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was registered as one of the geographical indication from Andhra Pradesh, under handicraft goods by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari is one of the two styles of Kalamkari works present in India, with the other being, Machilipatnam style. Kalam in persian language means Pen is used for hand drawing and coloring. The usage of pen involves two types, one for drawing made from bamboo, the other for drawing. The coloring process involves usage of only natural dyes which are extracted from flowers and vegetables. All together the entire process involves seventeen steps like block making, cloth treating, printing, washing etc.The Srikalahasti style is used mostly to narrate the religious myths and epics stories on the fabric and also the saris of this style are most notable for its borders and pallu.