Question

UPSC Prelims 2015 Question:

Kalamkari painting refers to

1. a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
2. a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
3. a block-painted woolen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
4. a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1: a hand-painted cotton textile in South India

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The literal meaning of Kalamkari is a painting done by kalam (pen). These paintings are made in Andhra Pradesh. A small place Sri-Kalahasti is the best known centre of Kalamkari art. This work is also found at Masaulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
This art is mainly related to decorating temple interiors with painted cloth panels, which was developed in the fifteenth century under the patronage of Vijaynagar rulers. Subjects are adopted from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Hindu religious mythology.
It is hand painted as well as block printing with vegetable dyes applied on cloth. Vegetable dyes are used for colour in the Kalam Kari work.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Indian Paintings

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