The Marriage -Details

This textile is one of a set of three which depicts, intricately, the details of an elaborate wedding procession. Developed at a middle stage of the Visvakarma exhibitions, this theme was a departure from the earlier religious imagery in Kalamkari while keeping it rooted in a familiar setting of the social life of the region where it was produced. A use of a green base was a radical departure from conventions, and dyeing in a tea infusion lent it a final colour finish, along with hand calendering. The artist went onto develop a well known arts practise, and his later, private commissions are in important collections in India.

Natural dyes are used in Kalamkari painting after treating the textile with milk. Over multiple stages, natural dye pigments are introduced ranging from black, red, yellow and finally green which forms the unusual background colour of this panel. Once the dyeing is finished, the fabric is sun dried to get the canvas on which the painting is made. The particular image has details of food being prepared at the wedding. A sack of grain on the back, a basket of sweetmeats and savouries as well as other processes can be seen. Far left is a woman with a Kalash, the ceremonial pot with water symbolising Amrit/elixir, atop which is a coconut facing the sky and ensconced in leaves (mango or Asoka).