The term kalamkari literally means ‘work done with a pen.’ The term is now inseparably attached to the painted and block-printed cotton and silk textiles, produced in the Coromandel Coast (parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) of India. In Machilipatnam, the line drawing done with a pen is transferred onto wooden blocks which are carved and then used to print fabric. The production is carried out in karkhanas (commercial workshops), where the block makers, washers and printers work under the same roof. Machilipatnam were free from any kinds of cultural or religious restraints, they displayed varied imagery starting from stylized plants, creepers, geometric designs to animals and human figures.

GI Tag Number : 90

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.