The Crafting of Kalamkari Kanchipuram Sarees

Motifs and designs on sarees are what entices the person to wear it. The vibrant prints and myriad of colours makes a fabric stand out from the rest of the pile. Kalamkari kanchipuram sarees are an elegant twist to the classic kanjivaram sarees and serve more occassions and purposes. The advent of the Mughals introduced India to this exotic art form and since then, it has become a huge part of our culture, esecially in the south. Kalamakri hand painting can now be seen on clothing, bags and purses and even pottery.

What is Kalamkari?

Kalamkari is a persian term that translates to ‘drawing with a pen’. This Iranian art form has been witnessed in parts of India, primarily Andhra Pradhesh and Telangana. The towns of Kalahasti and Machalipatnam are famous for the handpainted craft. It can be seen on fabrics, on artifacts, pottery and many more places. Over time, it has also seen its footage in the state of Gujarat, where the designs are mostly inspired from Hindu Mythology.

The colours used for the painting were traditionally all natural. They were obtained from plants and other naturally occurring substances. The brushes were specifically designed to paint intricate designs on the fabrics and it would take a long amount of time to complete a few kalamkari kanchipuram silk sarees.

Types of Kalamkari

There are two schools of Kalamkari designs based on the location of origin. These two differ in the designs painted and the technique used for the same.

Srikalhasti

This school of Kalamkari painting is inspired from the Hindu mythology, primarily the epics. The folklore of Hindu gods is depicted as a story through the skilled hands of the artists. Kalamkari tussar silk sarees usually follow this procedure of handpainting.

Machalipatnam

This style involves block printing on the kanjeevaram kalamkari silk sarees that are later completed with hand painting. The blocks are hand carved with intricate designs and allow for a vibrant colour mix once painted.

Kalamkari Silk Sarees at Kankatala

Kankatala has a 75 year old legacy as the curator of classic silk sarees throughout India. With purity and authenticity at the core, each of our sarees are handpicked by our founding family. There is no compromise on quality and customer satisfaction is of foremost importance to all of us.

The Kalamkari silk sarees online at Kankatala are a mix of traditional and modern designs. The zari used in the motifs, pallu and borders are pure gold and silver threads. The delicate hand painted designs include floral patterns, animal motifs and tales from the mythology.

Our Kalamkari sarees price starts from Rs. 25,000 and can go upwards based on the intricacy and detailing of the painting and the zari work. We also have beautiful Kalamkari silk cotton sarees that are perfect for all occasions. Check out our online store to know more about these exquisite pieces.