About Srikalahasti Kalamkari Craft Centres
Srikalahasti Kalamkari Craft Centres are artisan workshops in Srikalahasti, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh, known for the Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari. This hand-painted cotton textile art uses a kalam (pen) and natural dyes to depict mythological and temple-inspired motifs. Centres cluster around the town and near Srikalahasteeswara Temple, where visitors can observe artisans at work and purchase authentic GI-tagged textiles directly from makers.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect small workshop-cum-showrooms with artisans hand-painting and block-printing cotton fabrics using natural dyes. You can observe the multi-step process including cloth treatment, sketching with kalam, dyeing, washing in the Swarnamukhi River water traditionally, and drying. Spaces are informal work areas with display sections for sarees, dupattas, wall hangings and yardage. Interaction with artisans and guided explanation of motifs and techniques is commonly available.
Key highlights
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Authentic Srikalahasti style hand-painted Kalamkari using natural dyes and kalam pen
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Live demonstration of the traditional 17 to 23-step process by artisan families
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Mythological and temple-inspired designs depicting epics and deities
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Opportunity to purchase GI-tagged Kalamkari textiles directly from artisans