UPSC CSE Pre 2015

Indian Handicrafts

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Kalamkari painting refers to-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Kalamkari is an ancient Indian folk art form that combines storytelling with skilled craftsmanship on textiles.

Explanation Derived from 'Kalam' (pen) and 'Kari' (craft), it is a hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile from Andhra Pradesh. There are two main styles: Srikalahasti (pen-drawn) and Machilipatnam (block-printed). It uses only natural vegetable dyes.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Kalamkari is specifically associated with cotton textiles in South India, predominantly Andhra Pradesh.
Logic 2: It is not primarily associated with bamboo, wool, or silk from other regions as suggested by other options.

Active Recall

Question

What are the two major styles of Kalamkari?

Answer

Srikalahasti style (freehand drawing with a pen) and Machilipatnam style (using wooden blocks).

Core Insight

Kalamkari is a bridge between art and sustainability, utilizing natural materials and ancient techniques to depict mythological themes.