Buy Kalamkari Chennuri Silk Saree Online

Kalamkari Chennuri Silk Sarees are made on chennuri silk fabric which is a plant based silk. The handpainting on these... Kalamkari Chennuri Silk Sarees are made on chennuri silk fabric which is a plant based silk. The handpainting on these sarees is done using a mix of pigments and organic vegetable dyes. The Kalamkari Chennuri silk saree comes in monochrome and in multi colours and is ideally suited for office wear as it is very comfortable to wear with a good fall. Read More

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All you need to know about Kalamkari Chennuri Silk Sarees

History of Kalamkari Silk Sarees

Kalamkari, an ancient art form, is noted for its beautiful handpaintings on fabrics. Kalam means pen and Kari means art, the name Kalamkari has a Persian origin. This art form is being practiced in Srikalahasthi and Masulipattinam in Andhra Pradesh. This art of handpainting uses organic colours and dyes.

 The artisans in Masulipattinam, use the block print form, while the artisans from SriKalahasthi are known for their free hand drawing using the pen and painting pictures inspired from Hindu mythology.

Styling Tips For Kalamkari Silk Sarees

Choose Your Blouse
Carefully: Choose a blouse that goes well
with the color scheme and pattern of your kalamkari silk saree. Contrast blouses to offset the earthy tones of the kalamkari sari work very well. Go for full sleeve or blouses as they highlight the subtleness of the saree very well.. 

Accessorize
Wisely: Antique jewellery and oxidised silver jewellery pair very well with pen kalamkari sarees. Large ear rings, nose pin and bangles complete the look. 

Footwear: Pick high heeled footwear so that the fall of the saree is enhanced and amplifies the ensemble. 

Makeup: Allow for a soft and natural makeup to align with the beauty and
harmony of your kalamkari. A bold lipstick and bold bindi enhance the earthy and classy appeak of kalamkari silk sarees. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to identify a genuine pen kalamkari saree? 

Geography: Handpainted kalamkari art is practicsed in the SriKalahasti
town of Andhra Pradesh, where many women self help groups are trained in this art form. Painting is done on various fabrics like mulberry silk, chennuri silk, tussar silk and cottons. Block printed kalamkari sarees are not handpainted and these are from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Colours: Handpainted pen kalamkari sarees are painted using
natural organic vegetable dyes and are therefore muted and earthy in appearance. They will not be vibrant or bright in tones as these shades are possible only with chemical dyes

Drawing:  Handpainted
pen kalamkari sarees are characterised by irregular shapes, crooked lines and some colour run off bleed all over the saree. These imperfections are typical of a genuine handpainted kalamkari saree and they add character to the sari endowing it with a natural charm.

Odour: The process of handpainting involves substrate
preparation where the fabric is washed with buffalo milk to help the dyes to adhere to the fabric. Authentic handpainted kalamkari sarees have a milky odour as a result, and this is an important identifier of the genuinity of the handpainted pen kalamkari saree.

How to remove the smell from a pen kalamkari saree?

Open your kalamkari saree and air
it in a room lit with incense sticks for a coupe of days

Store your kalamkari saree in a
cupboard with an activated charcoal deodoriser

Dry clean the saree and the smell
will gradually go away with a few washes

 

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