Kalamkari Painting

Kalamkari Painting – The Ancient Art of Storytelling on Cloth

Long before books and films, ancient Indian storytellers would roam from village to village, singing tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other epics. Over time, this oral tradition transformed into a visual narrative art form—and thus was born Kalamkari, meaning "pen work".

Originating over 3,000 years ago in the villages of Srikalahasti and Masulipatnam in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Kalamkari developed two distinct styles:

• Srikalahasti Style – Rooted in temple traditions, this style depicts scenes from Hindu mythology, gods, and goddesses.
• Masulipatnam Style – Heavily influenced by Persian designs, it features intricate floral patterns and motifs.

The Craft Behind the Art

Kalamkari is traditionally created using natural dyes and earthy colors—each shade derived from organic materials:

• Black from jaggery, water, and iron filings
• Red from the bark of Maddar or Algirin
• Yellow from boiled pomegranate peels
• Blue from indigo
• Green by blending yellow and blue

These natural pigments, combined with freehand drawing using a kalam (pen), produce artworks that are vibrant, detailed, and steeped in heritage.

Penkraft® Kalamkari Painting Online Course

Now, you can explore the magic of Kalamkari with Penkraft’s structured, 20-hour certified online course—designed for artists of all levels.

What You’ll Learn:

• Introduction to acrylic paints and how they adapt to Kalamkari
• Step-by-step techniques for outlining, color blocking, and finishing
• Creating Kalamkari on various surfaces:
  • Canvas
  • Tote bags
  • Photo frames, and more
• Practice tips, do’s and don’ts, and material care
• Guidance to maintain accuracy, symmetry, and visual storytelling

Each module is carefully crafted, with assignments unlocking the next level—encouraging practice and creativity at every step.

Why Choose Penkraft®?

• Learn at your own pace
• Expert-led lessons and assignments
• No prior art experience needed
• Hands-on and immersive
• Certification upon completion

Step into the world of divine narratives and intricate patterns.
Create your own legacy with the Penkraft® Kalamkari Painting Course.

All the tools and material needed for the course are provided by us as a single ready-to-use kit and the student has the option to choose to buy this online here. The read-to-use kit shall reach your registered address by courier approximately within a week after you have bought it online here. The course duration starts after you have submitted the OTP you have received at the time of subscribing. So, please ensure you put in the OTP only after you have received the kit! Here’s the list of contents of the kit:-

• Cartridge Papers – 02
• Grid paper - 01
• Cloth Bag – 01
• Canvas - 01
• Brush No. 000 – 01
• Brush No. 03 – 01
• Acrylic Colours