Kalamkari is an ancient method of hand painting using a tamarind pen and natural dyes. The term originates from Persian, where "qalam" means pen and "kari" means craftsmanship. References to paintings on fabric and fabric scrolls can be found in ancient Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts. During medieval Islamic rule, Kalamkari, derived from the Telugu words "kalam" for pen and "kari" for craftsmanship, gained prominence under the Golconda sultanate's patronage.</p>
<p class="font_8">This art form features motifs like flowers, peacocks, paisleys, and characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Kalamkari colors primarily derive from vegetable dyes. Andhra Pradesh has gained international recognition due to the popularity of this exquisite painting style. In ancient times, Kalamkari was a household occupation for many rural women and craftsmen, a tradition that persists through generations.</p>
<p class="font_8">Recently, art forms like Kalamkari have experienced increased popularity due to their chemical-free process of creating printed textiles.