SWARNAMUKHI KALAMKARI ARTISANS ASSOCIATION

We are located at 4-519/2D on Sukabrahma Asramam Sannidhi Street in Srikalahasti. This is a very special place because of the temple and the history of Kalamkari art here. Swarnamukhi Kalamkari Artisans Association is basically a group of us who do this traditional work. We use natural dyes and hand-painting techniques that have been around for a long time. Our workshop is always smelling like various barks and seeds that we use for the colors. It’s a bit messy because of the water and the dyes, but that’s how art is made. We are right on Sannidhi Street, so we see a lot of pilgrims and tourists walking by every day. Sometimes they stop in to see what we are doing. We don't have a big corporate structure, we are more like a group of friends and neighbors working together. It’s hard work on the hands and the back, but we enjoy seeing the finished pieces. Srikalahasti is our home and we wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Sometimes the supply of certain plants for the dyes is short, so we have to wait or find alternatives. It’s not like buying paint from a store; it’s all very tied to the land. We try to keep our traditions going while making enough to support our families. It’s a simple, honest way to live and work.