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Shop For Kerala Mural Painting | Kerala Art Murals | Peepul Tree

Shop For Kerala Mural Painting Online at Peepul Tree. These iconic Art Murals have been handcrafted by the artisans of India. For more information visit our website: https://www.peepultree.world/collections/kerala-murals

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Kalamkari: A Devotional Art

Social Share: Kalamkari, the technique of hand-painting fabric, is so much more than an art form. Find out why Kalamkari, popularised in the holy town of Srikalahasti, is considered an expression of devotion and how it evolved.

Flowing from the wooden nibs of Kalamkari artists as they decorate swathes of fabric is a stream of devotion; creativity is just the vessel. Kalamkari, as they say, is so much more than an art form.

Associated with the town of Srikalahasti in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Kalamkari is the art of painting on cotton fabric, or of block-printing. The word ‘Kalamkari’ comes from ‘kalam’, which means ‘pen’ in Persian, and ‘kari’, which means ‘craftsmanship’. In this art form, cotton fabric is hand-painted with bamboo nibs dipped in natural dyes. Today, saris, kurtis, blouse pieces, dupattas, dresses and other items of clothing are adorned with delicate Kalamkari work. But why paint on fabric at all?

Kalamkari goes back to medieval times, when travelling minstrels sketched scenes from the Hindu epics to illustrate the stories they told as they travelled from one village to another. During their odyssey, they were not only telling stories; they were also expressing their devotion and inviting those they met along the way to join in. In the process, they were developing the art of Kalamkari, which survives to this day.

There are two thriving centres of Kalamkari – Srikalahasti, where stories from Hindu mythology are hand-painted in Kalamkari style, and Machilipatnam, where the designs are imprinted in Persian style.

History of Kalamkari

Kalamkari has been popularised in the holy town of Srikalahasti, which is considered Dakshin Kashi, or ‘Kashi of the South. The town has been an important pilgrimage centre since the time of the Pallavas, followed by the Cholas and then the Vijayanagara empire. While the art form has been patronised by all these dynasties, the earliest record of it dates to the Vijayanagara period. 

While the Srikalahasti style was patronised by the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire, the Machilipatnam style rose to prominence during the rule of the Qutub Shahis of Golconda, and later during the reign of the Mughals and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The main difference is that while the Srikalahasti style depicts scenes from Hindu legends and myths, the Machilipatnam style has a Persian influence and uses floral designs. Also, since Machilipatnam was a prominent port in medieval times, when European powers ruled India and promoted trade, this version of the art form has been influenced by Western elements.

Sadly, after peaking between the 16th and 19th century, Kalamkari declined due to changing market preferences, availability of modern industrial alternatives, and cheaper imitations of the art.

However, after India’s independence, the art saw a revival through efforts of social reformer and freedom activist Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. She promoted handicraft movements for social and economic upliftment and played a role in establishing institutions like the All India Handicrafts Board and the Central Cottage Industries Emporia. It was her interventions that set a template for this art form.

Process of Kalamkari

Cotton fabric is first treated with a liquid solution that is a mix of cow dung and bleach, to give the fabric a uniform white colour. Then the fabric is immersed in a mixture of buffalo milk and myrobalan fruit, to prevent the dyes that will be used to paint on the fabric from smudging. The fabric is later washed to remove the odour of buffalo milk. 

After it is dried in the sun, the fabric is ready to be painted. Artists first sketch freehand on the fabric, using a charcoal twig. Then, with a kalam or a bamboo nib, they paint over these rough sketches.

Once the drawing is complete, the rest of the fabric is painted with colours made from natural dyes. Black is made by blending jaggery, water and iron filings; yellow is created by boiling pomegranate peels; red is created from the bark of madder or algirin; blue is conjured from indigo; and green is made by mixing yellow and blue. Once the paint on the fabric is dry, the process is complete.

Whether it’s the spiritual style of Srikalahasti or the secular floral fusion of Machilipatnam, Kalamkari is eco-friendly. Keeping this ancient legacy alive, you can own a Kalamkari without ever visiting Srikalahasti or Machilipatnam. Through Peepul Tree India, get the authentic form of the art directly from the artisans of Andhra Pradesh.

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Shop Pattachitra Art Paintings For Home Decor- Peepul Tree

Buy Pattachitra Art Paintings Online For Home Wall Decor at Peepul Tree. Pattachitra paintings are traditional Indian art from the region of Odisha.

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Handmade Jamdani Cotton, Eri Silk, & Embroidered Stoles & Scarves for Women - Peepul Tree

Shop online for handcrafted jamdani cotton, eri silk, and embroidered stoles and scarves for women at Peepul Tree. Explore our wide range of handmade stoles and scarves.

For more information visit our website:

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Indulge in the Evergreen Charm of Chanderi Sarees This Wedding Season

Whenever the wedding season is around the corner, just like it is now, we find ourselves daydreaming of the outfits we would be wearing in all of the functions. Reserving a saree for at least one occasion goes unsaid obviously since the charm that a saree exudes is simply class apart. Chanderi Sarees, especially, make you the life of any party or function. 

So, with that thought in our minds, we thought of introducing you to Peepul Tree - an advocate for India handloom and handicraft in the shape of a website. With the aim of encouraging Indian arts and crafts, Peepul Tree introduces or rather serves as a medium between the Indian artisans and the people by showcasing their enthralling pieces of works that are truly a beautiful glimpse of the golden period of India. 

Reveling in The Glory of Ancient India

Did you know references to Chanderi silk sarees have been found in the Rig Veda and even in the Mahabharata, which happens to be the longest epic that was ever written in the world? Imagine wearing what Draupadi and the other India back in 1200 B.C. would have draped. Wouldn’t the Chanderi Handwoven Saree be something to be kept, cherished and proud of?  

Quit Fast Fashion, Embrace What Makes You Unique 

Take a moment and think about this - Every now and then we feel the inherent need of being our true selves, because that makes us stand apart from the crowd, because that shows whoever we are and whatever we believe in. But then why do we suppress this desire almost immediately and become a part of the force that churns out meaningless clothes senselessly? 

The Sarees, stoles, scarves, wall art and accessories that Peepul Tree offers are exclusive pieces that would define or rather become a part of your personality. With us, you own what you believe in. You own and keep and cherish what you admire - the Indian Heritage. 

Let’s Take a Look At Some of Chanderi Sarees Peepul Tree is Offering Right Now 

Chanderi Resham Silk Peach and Silver Saree - Our Chanderi Resham Silk Fuchsia and Orange Saree is a luxurious drape which boasts of peachy goodness mingled with muted silver motifs that give the saree a dreamy appeal. If you have been wanting a saree which is all about grace and grandeur, then this saree is exactly what you need.   

Chanderi Resham Silk Blush Pink and Fuchsia Saree - Can’t decide whether you want silver or gold detailing in your saree? Worry not, this Chanderi saree gives you a subtle combination of both silver and gold details along with a tinge of fuchsia.   

Chanderi Resham Silk Ivory, Green and Gold Saree - The classic you can never go wrong with. With decorative and gorgeously golden floral motives, our ivory silk Chanderi Saree is edged with lime green and aqua border which amplifies the beauty of your overall look.

Chanderi Resham Silk Fuchsia and Orange Saree - In this chanderi saree, you get a perfectly romantic blend of fuchsia and orange that has the power to turn heads and charm any soul. Buy this one, if you want to go for a balanced yet bold look.  

Mrinalini brings this saree to Peepul Tree. Mrinalini is a platform that assists handloom weavers across the country in order to preserve and protect India's valuable craft heritage. Mrinalini is dedicated to preserving traditional handloom techniques while honoring the ageless knowledge of India's finest weavers. Mrinalini sarees are all made with high-quality, natural yarns.

The Handloom Sarees on Peepul Tree are considered to be the most sought-after treasure. Each bespoke saree is handmade; made by India’s finest artisans who spends weeks and often months to work on a single piece; giving it utmost attention and care, putting the passion that permeates the work through and through.