Kalamkari

The craft

Kalamkari

Kalam means pen, kari means work. Kalamkari is drawing on cloth, with a bamboo pen and colours made from plants.

  • WhereAndhra Pradesh
  • StylesHand-drawn and block-printed
  • ColoursNatural dyes

Where it comes from

Two towns keep kalamkari alive. In Srikalahasti, artists draw freehand with a kalam, often telling stories from the epics. In Machilipatnam, the outlines are block printed, with Persian-style florals and vines.

How it’s made

The cloth is first treated so it can hold natural dyes. Outlines are drawn or printed, then colours are filled in by hand, one at a time, with washing and sun-drying between steps. It is slow work, and it shows.

Care

Gentle cold wash, separately. Dry in shade.

The hands behind it

  • Lakshmi Devi

    Kalamkari Painter · Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh

    Lakshmi uses a traditional pen-like tool to bring intricate stories to life on fabric. Inspired by mythology, nature and folklore, her paintings are built through countless fine details. Every composition is an expression of patience and imagination.

  • Venkatesh Rao

    Kalamkari Artist · Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh

    Venkatesh enjoys the discipline of drawing elaborate motifs by hand. His work reflects a deep appreciation for traditional storytelling, where every line and colour contributes to a larger narrative.

  • Padmaja

    Kalamkari Colour Artist · Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh

    Padmaja finds joy in bringing Kalamkari compositions to life through colour. She understands how shades and details work together to give each painting its distinctive character.

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