Kalamkari painting refers to
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
(c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- The term “Kalamkari” is derived from the Persian language, where “kalam” means pen and “kari” refers to craftsmanship.
- Kalamkari paintings are created by hand on cotton or silk fabric using a tamarind pen and natural dyes.
- Kalamkari art has also been discovered at the archaeological sites of Mohenjo-Daro.
- In India, there are two distinct styles of Kalamkari art: the Srikalahasti style and the Machilipatnam style.
- Kalamkari paintings are practiced in two different states in India, namely Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, each showcasing their own unique style of the art form.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
