Meet the Padma Shri awardee & Artisans from Andhra Pradesh Preserving the Art of Hand-Drawn Kalamkari
Founded in 1999, Dwaraka, a not-for-profit organization spearheaded by Anita Reddy aims to revive Kalamkari and empower the artisans behind the craft.
Stories of Art Revival and Sustainable Development
Founded in 1999, Dwaraka (Development of Weavers and Rural Artisans in Kalamkari), a not-for-profit organization spearheaded by Anita Reddy aims to revive Kalamkari and empower the artisans behind the craft.
When I read the story of Dwaraka, a platform that promotes Kalamkari artisans in Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, and other parts of the country where it’s growing its branches, that’s kind of how I felt. It all began when one fine day there was a knock at Padma Shri Anita Reddy’s door.
There was a time when hand-painted Kalamkari went through decline, for want of design intervention and a coordinated movement to bring it back to the fore. The traditional panels with mythological drawings had limited takers. Artists weren’t sure of earning a decent sum for their families using their craft.
Without Dwaraka, the Persian derived kalamkari technique, which peaked under the Vijayanagara kingdom, might have died away unseen by urban eyes. Srikalahasti is known for its exquisite hand painting or work (kari) through its kalam (pen).
