The story
Srikalahasti Kalamkari grew around the Srikalahasti Shiva temple, where artists painted cloth banners showing stories from the epics. Artists draw freehand with a bamboo pen (kalam) and fill colours from natural dyes. The style is known for detailed mythological scenes and borders. Srikalahasthi Kalamkari carries a GI tag.
In numbers
No published source we could open prints current numbers for this cluster.
GI tag
- Srikalahasthi KalamkariApplication no. GI application no. 28Registration details of Geographical Indications (IP India GI Registry)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Commissioned paintings for homes, hotels and temples
- Online sale of hand-painted sarees and dupattas
- Training workshops for art students and tourists
Problems the cluster faces
- Printed imitations sold as hand-painted
- Slow, labour-intensive work
- Few young artists
Businesses to start here
Textile Printing (Screen Printing on Fabric) →Online Folk Art and Art Gallery Marketplace →Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →