Traditional craftsmanship
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Kalamkari Paintings
Kalamkari (referring to the pen which is used in decorating handloom cloth with natural dyes) has evolved over the centuries as an art form in Andhra Pradesh. The Kalahasti style, the Golconda style and the Machilipatnam style are three important kalmkari styles. Kalamkari originally depicted ancient legends like stories or scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. The scenes were depicted in rows and the narrative written below. The most popular kalamkari is the Tree of Life pattern. The kalamkari fabric has an earthy natural beauty born of gentle vegetable dyes.
Contributed by Prarthana, CEE Ahmedabad
Kalamezhuthu Pattu
Kalamezhuthu is the art of drawing very large pictures on the floor as part of temple rituals in Kerala. While drawing patterns on the floor, walls or doors in homes is a common domestic routine in almost all parts of India (going by different names like kolam, rangoli, etc.), kalamezhuthu in Kerala is a temple art.
Kangri
As the temperature in Kashmir decreases in winter, the sales of Kangri - a local parlance for an earthen pot encased in wicker - picks up. Kashmiris use Kangri to keep themselves warm during late autumn and winter seasons, especially in the rural parts. Villagers cannot afford the electric heater so they rely on the Kangri.
Kantha
Kantha, a type of traditional embroidery popular in Bangladesh and West Bengal, originated with Bengali housewives mending and reinforcing old clothes with strands of thread drawn from the colourful borders of old saris and creating simple designs with them. It is a simple running stitch made on the edges. Earlier when five to six layers of the cloth were embroidered together it formed a quilt. Today the embroidered cloth is used as stoles, shawls and sarees. The clothes also find use as covers for mirrors, boxes, pillows etc. The outer layers of the clothes comprises of white or light colored cloth which makes the embroidery perceptible. The entire cloth is covered with running stitches which give it a slight wrinkled wavy effect. The embroidery usually has beautiful folk motifs, floral motifs, animal and bird figures and geometrical shapes. Themes from day to day activities are also a common subject for the embroidery.
Source: www.sashaworld.com
Contributed by: Prarthana, CEE Ahmedabad
Kolam: Ritualistic Threshold Drawings and Designs of Tamil Nadu
Kolam are a type of threshold drawings and designs found in Tamil Nadu. Like many other parts of India, threshold drawings are very famous in Tamil Nadu. Kolam is also practiced in other states of South India such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Kunhimangalam Bronze Craft
Kunhimangalam is a small village in the neighbourhood of Payyanur in Kannur district of Kerala. It is a village of craftsmen, especially of bronze and bell metal craft. These craftsmen, known as moosaris, are famous for making idols, lamps and other artifacts.