Question 1 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Culture

Question

Kalamkari painting refers to

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. a hand-painted cotton textile in South India

Strategy: - Focus on the term 'Kalamkari', understanding it as 'pen work' or hand painting.
- Associate it with cotton textiles and its origin in Andhra Pradesh/Southern India.
- Eliminate options mentioning incorrect materials like bamboo or wool.
- Eliminate options from unrelated regions like North-East or the Himalayas.
- Select the option that correctly combines hand-painted, cotton, and South India.

Key Info: **Kalamkari** is a traditional Indian art form involving hand-painted or block-printed cotton textiles, primarily from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

**Etymology and Tools**
The name derives from the Persian 'kalam' (pen) and 'kari' (craftsmanship). Artisans use a bamboo or date palm stick, pointed like a pen and dipped in natural dyes.

**Styles**
There are two main styles:
- **Srikalahasti**: The hand-painted style.
- **Machilipatnam**: The block-printed style.

**Motifs and Process**
Common motifs include Hindu mythological themes, floral designs, and intricate natural elements. The creation process is multi-step, involving fabric treatment, outlining with the kalam, and repeated applications of natural dyes and washing.

**Heritage and Distinction**
Kalamkari holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is a significant part of India's textile heritage. It is distinct from other art forms like North-Eastern bamboo handicrafts and Himalayan woolen textiles.

Answer

Option B: a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India

Answer

Option C: a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India

Answer

Option D: a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India