How the Kalamkari Craft Travelled From Srikalahasti to Thanjavur

When people think of kalamkari, the first words that come that come to their minds are srikalahasti or Machilipattanam and not karuppur or thanjavur, through the art form have its roots in the latters. “Kalamkari First Found Royal Patronage in Tamil Nadu in 1540, When Sevappa Nayak, The First Nayaka Ruler of Thanjavur, Brough a Contingent of Artists from Karuppur to Adorn Thanjavur”s Palaces and Tests,” Says Kalamkari Artist Rajmohan, Son of National Award-Winning Kalamkari Artist R. Emperumal. These artists were descendants of migrants from Andhra Pradesh, where kalamkari originated.

Also know as chitrapadaam (‘chitra’ meaning picture and ‘padaam’, traacing, the art form was on used to depict stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It was used to create tapestries for palaces, temple hangings, panels for door frames, canopies, umberlla covers, door hangings and tubular hangings and honon decorating tample Charioats. It Eventually Evolved Into Wearable Art Sarees and Dupattas, and Utility Items Such as Bags and Bookmarks.

Touch of modernity

A Kalamkari Art Work Created by Rajmohan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

As rajmohan shows us the works of his ancestors, involuding a tapestry that is more than 400-YARS-LD, He Says, “I Recreat Old Pieces with a Touch of Moderanity, Yet Try to KEEP Adopted by my ancestors. Containing preservatives as they do notmatch the depth and richness that Naturally-DERIVED ONESPART. ” The handmade pens or kalams that he uses are crafted from bamboo and tamarind twigs. While bamboo twigs are used as it is, the tamarind ons are burnt and covered in Soil overnight before use.

Rajmohan’s family has been practicing kalamkari for more than 800 years now. A bfa graduate, who also study filmmaking from MGR Film Institute, Rajmohan Learnt The Kalamkari Art from His Father. “There was no formal classes, I learn by observing him. My son also Learns the same way”, he says. “The art form has been slowly fading into obscurity. When royalty was abolished in India, the patronage disappeared, and with it, the livelihood of many artists. Learn Another Trade, and hence Languished ”, He Shares.

Contibuing the family tradition

Artisans Working at the Kalamkari Unit, Run By Rajmohan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Not far away from Rajmohan’s Residence, Lakshmi Narayanan Keeps the art alive in a different way. “This is an endangered art,” Says lakshmi narayanan, who runs a unit with kalamkari works in his two-storeyed home. Narayanan, whose family has been practicing the art form that obtailed a gi (geographical indication) Srikalahasti Style. Narayanan, who began working as a kalamkari artist at the age of 15, feels that the market remain uncertain even today as handmade items are slowly regaining app “We Wait for Over 20 Days for Profits to Come Our Way. And there is a small error, then we lose up to ₹ 17,000 or even ₹ 20,000-That is how much a fulllly-worked kalamkari saree can cost”

“People who buy it needs to understand the volume of work that goes into making a saree or even a dupatta. First, the design is traced using using charcoal. It is a mixed with And Driad. “Black is derived from rusted iron, yellow from turmeric, and red from cinnamon,” he shares. A single saree can take 15 to 20 days, depending on the intricacy of the design. “Sales Mostly Happen Through Word-off-Mouth,” He Says. “Sometimes, Boutiques Approach us, but sporadically. Eventually take up the craft.

Now, with quiet persistence, bot rajmohan and narayanan ensure that endanged art is not forgotten. They’re not just preserving a technique but a tradition that is passed on through generations.