Kalamkari painting refers to

1. a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
2. a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
3. a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
4. a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Kalamkari is a traditional art form of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textiles originating from Isfahan, Iran, and the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It uses only natural dyes and follows a meticulous 23-step process.
• In India, Kalamkari art is distinguished by two unique styles:
  • Srikalahasti style
  • Machilipatnam style
• This art form historically flourished in temples, where it was used for creating scrolls, temple hangings, chariot banners, and depictions of deities and scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas.
• Its revival and popularity in modern times are attributed to Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the first chairperson of the All India Handicrafts Board, who played a significant role in promoting it.

Image Source: Utsavpedia

Answer: (a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India; Difficulty Level: Hard