Difficulty Faces in Making Kalamkari Indian Wedding Sari

There are basically two ways original Kalamkari fabrics are made - using natural dyes with multiple rounds of soaking and dying - Machilipatnam style that involves printing using blocks - and the rarer, more arduous of the two - Srikalahasti style that involves pen or kalam made using bamboo sticks.

The printing that’s done in 3 to 4 stages also involves soaking of the base material (after 1st round of printing) in cow’s milk - stage is known as Milking. In some places, this stage is done using Ghee (clarified butter) or even Cow-dung! Kalamkari art is also seen on bedspreads, wall hangings and drapery material.

The more colors you see on a Kalamkari Indian wedding sari - like the one worn by gorgeous, glamorous Neha in the image above - the more time-consuming stages and soaks it has passed through. Neha is a young mom, who loves clothes and fashion. She is an ardent sari collector and makes it a point to pair her sari with out-of-this-world blouses and accessories. Here, she pairs her bright sari with a contrasting brocade blouse and ethnic juttis.

Even though the customary patterns and traditional process for crafting Kalamkari are either of the aforementioned of two, the Kalamkari effect may also be achieved using modern modes of printing. Printed Kalamkari creations are not hand-made, and thus, are available in a wide range of fabrics and prices. Other innovative ways to achieve Kalamkari stories alive on fabrics involve embroidery and applique work.

Here is an example of the Kalamkari - inspired applique work. Unlike the usual block printed or pen Kalamkari, the sari base is plain. Look, how stunning the applique work is on real - life sari lover bewitching blue Indian wedding sari.

Here is a popular variant of Kalamkari prints worn by the real - estate consultant and sari fan Olndrilla. She is a busy young working mom, yet she manages to collect and showcase sari from all parts of India. This floral sari with Kalamkari prints is a break away from traditional Kalamkari - and yet looks very pretty.

I am sure - by now - you too are in love with this enchanting craft. You know what, until I knew things about Kalamkari - I didn’t even know, I actually had a Kalamkari Indian wedding sari, brought along by an uncle from one of his trips to some archaeological ruins in Andhra. Amazing! So, what are you waiting for - browse your very own sari wardrobe, and see what all you possess!