1- Masulipatnam Kalamkari :
Srikalahasti , the textiles are literally painted with pens made out of bamboo and cotton , in Machilipatnam , the line drawing done with a pen is transferred onto wooden blocks which are carved and then used to print fabric . In Machilipatnam , the production is carried out in karkhanas ( commercial workshops ), where the block makers , washers and printers work under the same roof . In Srikalahasti , the textiles are produced by small family units where the members work together . This essay discusses the history , stylistic development , materials and techniques of kalamkari at both Srikalahasti and Machalipatnam .
History and Development of Kalamkari Art
In ancient India , the art of painting using organic colors and dyes was very popular , but this style of painting originated at Kalahasti ( 80 miles north of Chennai ) and at Masulipatnam ( 200 miles east of Hyderabad ). The paintings then used to depict Hindu Deities and the scenes from Hindu mythology . Masulipatnam being a muslim region , the weavers were involved in the block printing art whereas the artists from Kalahasti practiced painting Hindu mythological scenes .
Fragments of Indian blockprinted cloth dating to the late Roman period have been discovered from archaeological sites in Egypt . However , the oldest samples from the Coromandel Coast itself are from 13th- 14th century A . D
Srikalahasti is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus because of presence of the Srikalahastisvara temple , which is dedicated to Lord Shiva . Historically , textiles from Srikalahasti were essentially used as canopies and hangings that acted as backdrops to the images of the deities at the temple . The themes of these paintings are derived from Hindu religion and also from nature — bird and tree of life motifs abound . The temple at Srikalahasti gained prominence under the Pallava kings ( 6th- 9th century AD ), and was further developed during the Chola ( 9th- 13th century AD ) and Vijayanagara ( 14th- 17th century AD ) Empires .
The textiles produced in Machilipatnam were meant for clothes , prayer mats , bedspreads , tapestries and hangings . The printing techniques used to produce these textiles helped in mass production . The motifs from Machilipatnam are often cross-cultural and combine local motifs with those derived from Persia and Europe . Machilipatnam , was a busy port during the late medieval period . The port was especially bustling from the 15th-17th century A . D . As the textiles produced in Machilipatnam were free from any kinds of cultural or religious restraints , they displayed varied imagery starting from stylized plants , creepers , geometric designs to animals and human figures . These representations are important sources for the study of the contemporary social scenario .
The styles of Kalamkari Paintings :
1- Masulipatnam Kalamkari :
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