The age-old story of Block Printing in Aryavatam, Andhra Pradesh
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Yo Vizag
  • Magazine
  • News
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • More
    • Covid-19
      • Important Helpline Numbers
      • Hospitals in Vizag
      • Donate Plasma
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Beauty & Wellness
    • Behind The Name – Vizag
    • Buddhist Sites In Vizag
    • Places To See In Vizag
    • Religious Places
    • Beach in
    • Vintage Vizag
    • Visakhapatnam Pincode
    • Vizianagaram Pincode List
  • Join NowTelegram Channel
No Result
View All Result
  • Magazine
  • News
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • More
    • Covid-19
      • Important Helpline Numbers
      • Hospitals in Vizag
      • Donate Plasma
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Beauty & Wellness
    • Behind The Name – Vizag
    • Buddhist Sites In Vizag
    • Places To See In Vizag
    • Religious Places
    • Beach in
    • Vintage Vizag
    • Visakhapatnam Pincode
    • Vizianagaram Pincode List
  • Join NowTelegram Channel
No Result
View All Result
Yo Vizag
No Result
View All Result
Home Heritage

The age-old story of Block Printing in Aryavatam, Andhra Pradesh

11/02/2018
in Heritage
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Block printing, andhra pradesh

Block printing

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on TelegramShare on Email

The age-old technique of block printing is a heritage art form, popular in Andhra Pradesh. Having originated in Machalipatnam and Pedana, today there are pockets across the East Godavari district which practice this art of block printing. One such place is in the village of Aryavatam. Half an hour drive from Kakinada takes one to this village, where a few have taken up this work. We reach the house of Suryanarayana, where a portion of their house has been converted into a shop, and bales of printed cloth lie in the store. Kalamkari saris vie for attention along with printed borders, diwan sets and also dress materials. After feasting our eyes on this colourful collection, we drive down to the unit where the block printing actually happens.

As you enter, the first sight that catches the eye, is the length of cloth which has been left to dry on the ground. A huge room with tin sheets lies beyond, and this is where the magic happens. A few people stand at their workstations, deeply involved in the work they’re doing. Hundreds of blocks engraved with fine designs lie in a corner. ‘Each design that we print consists of a set of blocks’, shares Suryanarayana, whose family has been doing this work since the past forty years. Dealing exclusively with vegetable dyes, he shares that once a particular design is chosen, the cloth is treated with dung and karakkai so as to enable it to absorb the dye. In a design with multiple colours, blacks and reds are printed first. The cloth is washed in a running stream of water, and the other colours are then printed on it.

The workstation comprises of a rectangular bench on which the artisans place the cloth. The block is then periodically dipped in the dyes and the motif printed on to the fabric. The process is completely done by hand, and the artisan stands for the long period of time to perfectly print the design. Natural dyes made from pomegranate, turmeric and other substances from the forests give the kalamkari print a unique look. The original process on a length of cloth takes a month for completion, and because the work of colour extraction isn’t easy, vegetable dyed Kalamkari tends to cost higher.

The Aryavatam center has hundreds of blocks, which have been made over the years. Nature inspired motifs are seen to be stacked along with modern geometric designs. Suryanarayana tells us however, that times are tough for this art form, as workers today are hard to come by. ‘People don’t want to take this up anymore’, he shares, telling of how they want to go for more lucrative options. Also while these enjoy a better market in other states of India, local markets still have a comparatively lower demand.

With the next generation still reluctant to take on this line of work, the future of Kalamkari is uncertain. One can however hope that the growing demand for its colourful designs and appeal will keep this fascinating art alive.

Tags: Andhra Pradeshblock printingcultureeast godavariheritagekakinadakalamkari
Share147Tweet72SendShareSend

Related Posts

Homes of MLA, Minister burnt during protest against renaming Konaseema District
News/City Updates

Homes of MLA, Minister burnt during protest against renaming Konaseema District

25/05/2022
Fish landing centres to aid fishermen in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli
News/City Updates

Fish landing centres to aid fishermen in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli

24/05/2022
Vizag to face heat wave from 22 May with temperatures over 38°C
News/City Updates

Vizag to face heat wave from 22 May with temperatures over 38°C

21/05/2022
CM Jagan inaugurates world's largest green energy project in AP
News/City Updates

CM Jagan inaugurates world’s largest green energy project in Andhra Pradesh

18/05/2022
Load More

Discussion about this post

Popular Posts

  • Top 8 Malayalam movies on Amazon Prime Video you must watch

    8 brilliant Malayalam movies you must watch on Amazon Prime Video

    33485 shares
    Share 13394 Tweet 8371
  • Bigg Boss 4 Telugu: Voting numbers of contestants nominated for elimination in fourth week

    16868 shares
    Share 6747 Tweet 4217
  • Former TTD head priest Srinivasa Deekshitulu passes away due to COVID-19

    15229 shares
    Share 6092 Tweet 3807
  • 10 Indian web series on Amazon Prime, Netflix and other OTTs that you must watch

    14407 shares
    Share 5772 Tweet 3598
  • 5 Halloween movies and series on Netflix that promise a thrilling October

    12111 shares
    Share 4844 Tweet 3028
Vizag

With a distinction of being the oldest lifestyle magazine in Andhra Pradesh, Yo! Vizag has been catering engaging content to its readers for the past 10 years. From covering various happenings in the city to providing entertaining content, we keep our followers hooked day in and day out. Stay tuned to Yo! Vizag to get your daily capsule of news and entertainment.

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Recent Posts

Here is a list of OTT movie releases this week of May

Here is a list of OTT movie releases this week of May

by Team Yo! Vizag
23/05/2022
0

...

Vizag Forest Department to focus on conservation of Eastern Ghats

Vizag Forest Department to focus on conservation of Eastern Ghats

by Team Yo! Vizag
23/05/2022
0

...

Mystery behind the suspicious death of bride in Visakhapatnam solved

Mystery behind the suspicious death of bride in Visakhapatnam solved

by Team Yo! Vizag
23/05/2022
0

...

© 2020 DSA Media Publications - Brewed with ♥ by ideafirst

No Result
View All Result
  • Magazine
  • News
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • More
    • Covid-19
      • Important Helpline Numbers
      • Hospitals in Vizag
      • Donate Plasma
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Beauty & Wellness
    • Behind The Name – Vizag
    • Buddhist Sites In Vizag
    • Places To See In Vizag
    • Religious Places
    • Beach in
    • Vintage Vizag
    • Visakhapatnam Pincode
    • Vizianagaram Pincode List
  • Join Now

© 2020 Yo Vizag - Brewed with ♥ by ideafirst.

Posting....