Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Color-decoration of certain special kinds in Indian countries; specifically, a chintz of which the pattern is produced by many separate dyeings, the ground being covered in places by repellent preparations, and also by printing from small blocks.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a type of hand-printed cotton cloth from India

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Telugu కలంకారి (kalamkāri), from Persian قلم (qalam, "pen") + کاری (kārī, "craftsmanship")

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Examples

  • A complex "kalamkari" process uses hand carved wooden blocks and natural dyes.

    Les Indiennes 2007

  • Hi frnds I want to kalamkari patch work on a saree, plz .. suggest?

    Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions 2010

  • In tussar and khadi, block printed with kalamkari prints, bordered in zari or plain and textured.

    The Hindu - Home Pushpa Chari 2010

  • You will also find hand woven saris with kalamkari appliqué work, hand embroidered and patch worked sari blouses, along with hand dyed saris with subtle embellishments.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2010

  • In salwar sets, they have experimented with kalamkari and block prints and the result is an appealing line in a variety of colour palette.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2010

  • The craft shop will have an array of Mangalgiri saris, kalamkari and ikat.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2010

  • Today the three decade-old Dastkar Andhra - weaver interaction has resulted in saris with zari, thread, stripe work or plain, exquisitely woven or natural dyed mangalgiris, khadi with kalamkari prints and wonderfully textured plain materials.

    The Hindu - Home Pushpa Chari 2010

  • Lavanya Mani creates a fictitious trading map of kalamkari and embroidered cushions depicting a fearsome spider inspired by a nursery rhyme she had learnt as a child, hinting at the grooming of a girl for the marriage market.

    The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) - Frontpage 2010

  • Personal favourites are the palm-leaf products from Tamil Nadu, showcasing cute little baskets, bags, and drawstring pouches; wooden-handled kalamkari bags in silk and leather, from Karnataka; delicate stoles and dress material in ajrakh print from Gujarat, and jute products from West Bengal.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2009

  • In easy English and with pertinent display, it tells you stories behind each of the many textile traditions - from telia rumal and ajrakh prints to kalamkari and bandhej - and, how they've stood the test of time.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2009

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