Handblock Kalamkari Border Cotton Top (Maroon) | Save>40%

Handblock Kalamkari Border Cotton Top in Maroon — Where Heritage Meets Everyday Style

Deep as a bindi, warm as a festival evening — the maroon Kalamkari border on this cotton top carries the mood of celebration in every thread. This Handblock Kalamkari Border Cotton Top in Maroon pairs a clean, contemporary cut with the ancient craft of Kalamkari block printing, placing intricate hand-printed motifs at the neckline and hem where they make the greatest visual impact. The result is a top that requires no jewellery, no styling effort, and no occasion — it simply works.

Kalamkari Craft — The Art of the Pen and the Block

Kalamkari is one of India’s oldest living textile traditions, originating in Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The name derives from the Persian kalam (pen) and kari (craftsmanship). In the handblock form practised here, artisans use carved teak blocks to apply natural dyes — indigo, madder, pomegranate, iron mordant — in precise, layered impressions. The border design on this top reflects the temple-art tradition of Srikalahasti Kalamkari, with its characteristic peacock, floral scroll, and geometric band motifs rendered in the craft’s signature earthy-rich palette. Each block must align perfectly with the fabric’s edge; a skilled artisan can complete a dozen tops in a day, but each one carries the evidence of their precision.

Features & Specifications

• Fabric: 100% breathable cotton — soft, lightweight, perfect for year-round Indian weather
• Technique: Handblock Kalamkari printing with natural dyes along neckline and hem borders
• Colour: Maroon base with rich earthy-toned Kalamkari border motifs
• Sizes available: S (Bust 40″), M (Bust 42″), L (Bust 44″)
• Fit: Relaxed, modest-cut top — versatile enough for tucking in or wearing loose
• Weight: Approx. 230g
• Care: Hand wash or gentle machine cycle with mild detergent; dry in shade; iron on low heat

Perfect For

Maroon is the colour of auspiciousness in Indian culture — worn at temples, at weddings, at any gathering where warmth and depth are called for. This top reads as festive without being formal, making it ideal for Navratri, Karva Chauth, Diwali visits, or a Sunday puja. It’s equally at home on a college campus or a city market day. Pair it with cream cotton trousers and kolhapuri sandals for a daytime ethnic look; or dress it up with black palazzos and silver jhumkas for an evening out. The deep maroon also complements denim beautifully — a simple tucked-in style with white jeans makes for a crisp, heritage-forward look that turns heads without trying.

Heritage Section — Kalamkari of Andhra Pradesh

Kalamkari has been practised in Andhra Pradesh for over 3,000 years, with origins as temple scrolls and narrative cloth paintings. Two distinct regional styles survive: the Srikalahasti style, which uses the bamboo pen (kalam) for freehand drawing, and the Machilipatnam/Masulipattnam style, which uses carved wooden blocks. Both use natural dyes exclusively — no synthetic pigments — and both have been recognised with Geographical Indication (GI) protection. The handblock prints on this top draw from the Machilipatnam tradition: geometric precision, repeating motifs, and the characteristic use of indigo, madder, and iron mordant that gives Kalamkari its unmistakably earthy warmth.

What’s in the Box

• 1 × Handblock Kalamkari Border Cotton Top (Maroon)
• Available in sizes S, M, L