Previous Year Question

Kalamkari is a traditional textile art associated with South India, particularly Andhra Pradesh.

• It primarily involves hand-painting or block-printing designs on cotton textiles.

• In the Srikalahasti style, designs are drawn freehand with a pen. Its themes frequently include scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and representations of deities.

• The Machilipatnam style uses carved wooden blocks to print designs on fabric. Floral, creeper and paisley patterns are prominent in this style.

• Natural dyes are traditionally used to produce the colours.

• Both Srikalahasti Kalamkari and Machilipatnam Kalamkari have received Geographical Indication—GI status.

Therefore, option (a) is correct. Bamboo handicrafts, Western Himalayan woollen cloth and decorative silk cloth of North-Western India do not describe Kalamkari.