Wear An Art; Tell A story! - Our journey with Kalamkari

Kalamkari is a timeless art form. It took its form as a medium of narrating stories by the folk artists who wandered from village to village narrating stories of Indian mythology. With the course of time, the process of narrating tales by the nomadic folk artists transformed into canvas paintings and that’s when Kalamkari art first saw the light of day.

Kalamkari, an exquisite ancient textile art form that involves hand drawing or block printing fabrics with the traditional use of natural and vegetable dyes. This art flourished at Machilipatnam in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and further was promoted during the 18th century, as a decorative design on clothing by Britishers in India.
Kalamkari has come a long way from being a form of narrating stories depicting Indian gods and goddesses to being made into one of the most recognized hand-crafted fabrics. Till today, many families in Andhra Pradesh continue to practice this timeless art and it has served as the prime source of their livelihood over the generations. 
Image: Our artisans from Kalahasti.
Our journey with Kalamkari

Our Fonder, Ms.Pankajam in her favorite pen Kalamkari saree. 

Here is our founder's story of how kalamkari occupied a huge space in our hearts in our Founder, Ms.Pankajam's words: 

The very first time I saw the process of making these beautifully handcrafted Kalamkari sarees was in 2009 and ever since kalamkari became a part of our design. I was amazed by the effort and the meticulous details that go into the creation of each and every piece. My curiosity and passion for this art paved the way to meet numerous artisans who create this intricate artwork. It has been 12 years since kalamkari occupied an irreplaceable space in our emporium and became a huge part of our journey. This timeless art never fails to mesmerize customers with its intricate beauty.
Each and every time we sold a kalamkari masterpiece, I was left with the satisfaction that I have been serving my customers with authentic craftsmanship and playing a major role in supporting this beautiful art and the hands that create this exquisite artwork.

Story of our first client

Our first client, Ms.Dhanya in her customized Kalamkari outfit.

"I enjoyed designing dresses for my daughter ever since her childhood. The joy of handpicking fabrics and making clothes for her made me realize my passion for designing. All those compliments and admiration on her clothing motivated me to start a business of my own. My daughter was my first client & till date, I design all the garments for my clients with the same amount of passion and dedication that I had for her," says Ms.Pankajam, Founder of Anya.

The Joy of Gifting

Ms.Niranjana wearing our exclusive pen kalamkari Kanchi silk saree.


"Being a person who is fond of handcrafted kalamkari sarees, I couldn’t think of any better gift than that for my daughter-in-law. Right from choosing the fabric and colors to customize the kalamkari print I loved it all. I enjoyed each and every intricate process of designing it for her. I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw her in that beautiful kalamkari saree," says Ms.Pankajam.
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