Tucked away in the bylanes of one of Chennai’s most popular neighborhoods Besant nagar is the renowned Kalakshetra foundation. Founded way back in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale, one of pioneers in the field of Bharatanatyam dance, this is a centre for true connoisseurs of art.
The sprawling campus that is spread across 100 acres, houses the College of fine arts, the Rukmini Devi Museum and the Koothambalam (Kalakshetra theatre). An integral part of the institute is the distinctive Kalakshetra Craft Centre that is located across the road and opposite to the main campus.
The center produces some of the most elegant cotton, silk-cotton and spun silk sarees along with a host of other items like bags, purses and dress materials. A tradition started by Rukmini Devi herself, the Kalakshetra saree is the epitome of grace, beauty and tradition. Known for their striking deep colors and contrasts, these sarees exude class along with design brilliance.
The weaving Centre was inaugurated in 1937 when craftsmen from Kanchipuram weaved magic with the yarn sourced from Bangalore at that time.
The tradition is still preserved today and one can witness skilled weavers creating sarees using the tradmark yet complex weaving technique known as ‘korvai’.
I was quite fascinated to see the weavers deftly move their hands while operating the loom along with what appeared to be a real complex matrix of threads to me!
I was given to understand that a saree requires at least 2 days to complete.
Apart from handloom sarees, the unit also produces unique block printed kalamkari fabric. The blocks which have some really exclusive designs are dipped in vegetable dyes that are organic and then embossed on specially treated cloth to produce dress materials, bed sheets and host of fabrics used for a wide variety of purposes.
The most interesting part of the unit, is their hand painting division which manufactures hand painted sarees and fabric. The way the ladies moved their brushes effortlessly on the cloth while creating some of the most aesthetic designs had me stunned. It was an obvious reflection of their immense skill and talent.
The printed and painted fabrics are specially treated and washed in house before they are finally ready.
The centre has a small retail unit where you can buy sarees, dress material and a host of other hand made knick knacks.
Wow! They work so hard for Sarees we shamelessly keep bargaining on. The block prints and hand paint look amazing.
Yes, you are absolutely right! Thanks for reading:)
The natural products that created the natural dyes look much for tempting than chemical dyes.
Yes, that is really true:) The beauty and class of natural fabric is truly distinct!
What beautiful sarees they produce here using the traditional methods and organic dyes. Such a skilled craft! It amazes me how looms work – I’ve no idea how they manage to produce all the patterns on the fabric! Such an interesting post – thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much Rosemary! Am glad you liked the post:)
A very good post.
Thank you so much:)
Interesting post Rashmi… Didn’t know they use even the barks of trees! I love these kalamkari saris & dupattas… So much if hard work goes into it! Kudos to them!
Ya Divya; it is truly fascinating but loads of work also:)
Amazing. Didn’t know about the hand painted sarees! There is so much art around. I am glad the foundation is keeping these arts alive.
Yes it is a great place to visit and see the talented hands at work:)
Very interesting!
Thanks Indrani! A visit here can be quite insightful:)
Wonderful post. Look at them work so hard to come up with such beautiful designs. It’s good to see that handloom is still alive, wish the government pays more attention to this and promotes it.
Yes Atul very true! Thanks for reading:)
wow I would love to visit an authentic workshop in a machine world :)Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Shweta!
What beautiful designs and fabrics!
Yes they are fabulous indeed! Appreciate you reading:)
Wow, watching the weavers work their magic is an incredible experience. Love the kalamkari fabrics, thanks for the share Rashmi 🙂
Thanks so much!
Very informative!
Thanks Neha! Appreciate you stopping by and reading:)
nice introduction of kalamkari in your blog. easily get to know what is kalamkari
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