Kalamkari and Traditional Design Heritage of India

by Shakuntala Ramani

Overview

Tradition is not static, but ever growing and changing, assuming new forms with each passing generation. Just like a piece of rock, broken from the hillside, is weathered and shaped by the water of the mountain-river as it flows downhill, traditional art also gets shaped over centuries by the forces of an ever-changing culture. The inner core, however, remains the same. In the Kalamkari heritage of India, the inner core of the art is deeply traditional and mystic in nature. Whether hand-painted or block-printed, the traditional designs and motifs of the Kalamkari craft speak a language of their own, and it is by recognising this inner voice that the future of the art can be secured.

The art of Kalamkari painting is one of the oldest among the traditional arts of India. Drawing upon a repertoire of well-loved epics, Kalamkari is full with richness of colour, simplicity of narrative and precision of detail in its presentation, that remains unparalleled by other art forms of this genre. In this book, the salient features of this fine art of Kalamkari are interestingly explained. It also details how this ancient textile craft which was deeply rooted in religion has adapted itself to the social changes and political upheavals while evolving into a secular craft in order to conform to changing cultures and trends through the ages. Written in lucid style, the book explores the origin of the beautiful craft and other traditional design forms and documents their evolution as well as carves a road-map for the future.

About the Author:
Shakuntala Ramani is the chairperson of the Craft Education and Research Centre of the Kalakshetra Foundation

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788183280822
Publisher:	Wisdom Tree
Publication date:	02/28/2015
Pages:	117
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Preface     4
Introduction     9
Temple Origin     12
The folk Idiom     22
Historical Perspective     36
Painted and Printed Textiles     50
Design Vocabulary     80
Kalamkari Artist     88
Colours from Nature     98
Future of an Ancient Art     106
Glossary     115