Pedana Kalamkari

In India, there are two distinct styles of Kalamkari - Srikalahasti and the Machilipatnam style. Pedana Kalamkari also known as Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari, involves vegetable dyed block-painting of a fabric. The artist prints the outlines as well as the main features of his designs with hand-carved wooden blocks. The Machilipatnam designs of Kalamkari are Persian in character because of the patronage and proximity to the Mughals and the Golcunda Sultanate. The traditional block prints in this art largely use motifs such as interlacing pattern of leaves and flowers , the cartwheel, different forms of the lotus flower, creepers, birds like parrots and peacock, and other intricate leaf design. This heritage craft is named as a specialized GI Tagged craft of our country!