Kalamkari Sarees are hand made in villages in A.P. and are most associated with Machlipatnam on the coast.
The Literal translation of the word kalamkari is Pen Craft.
The intricate pictures are drawn with kalam or bamboo reed using Natural Dyes. Tree of life theme is very popular and comes in many forms. The cotton fabric gets its glossiness by immersing it for an hour in a mixture of myrabalam and milk. Contours and reasons are then drawn with a point in bamboo soaked in a mixture of jagri fermented and water; one by one these are applied, then the vegetable dyes. After each color, the Kalamkari is washed. Thus, each fabric can undergo up to four washings. Various effects are obtained by seeds, plants and crushed flowers
They have been around for centuries and have the ancient looking charm of hand blocked designs. These colors are vegetable derived.
Literally meaning drawing with a pen, sarees featuring the kalamkari craft have been adorned by women over the ages.
There are two distinct styles of kalamkari: -
Srikalahasti
Machalipatnam.
The fabric gets its glossiness from its immersion in milk and resin. Kalamkari fabrics are created in seventeen steps, using only natural dyes, with numerous washes. Typically, the motifs capture the essence of temple architecture and scenes from great epics. The muted kalamkari motifs in maheshwari silk or cotton are appliqued onto rich vibrant kanchivaram silks. One can also find this work of art handcrafted on tussar silk, crepe, chiffon, georgette and cotton. Kalahasti and Masulipatnam located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in south India are well known for various forms of kalamkari. Sakhi borrows from this craft and brings alive the soul of kalamkari with fashionable designs.
The real block prints that have been produced in India since centuries. These are vegetal dyed on wonderfully soft voile cotton, that you can wear right out of the box and that just keep getting better with each washing. The Mangalagiri handlooms are printed with kalamkari and have matching blouse piece.