Asmangiri is a brand founded by Master Artisan and State Awardee Mr. Lakshminarayanan working along with 40 women artisans upholding the vision to blend tradition, innovation, and empowerment to revive and sustain the timeless heritage of Karuppur Kalamkari.
Traditionally crafted on cotton for annual temple decor, we have been ensuring the craft’s relevance in the contemporary markets by experimenting with diverse fabrics like silk and products like Sarees, Dupattas, Home Décor, and Stationery. At the heart of every innovation, Asmangiri remains true to the authentic techniques of Karuppur Kalamkari marked by the use of natural colors and traditional hand-painting techniques.
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At Asmangiri, we honor and uphold the traditional practices where every piece goes through a 23-step process comprising a repeated loop of coloring, starching, washing, and drying. Each piece begins as a detailed sketch on paper, which is then pinned and traced onto pre-starched fabric. The black outlines are carefully traced with a bamboo brush over the pencil drawing, followed by dipping the fabric in starch-and-milk solution.
After sun-drying, the fabric is washed in running water. Once dried, the colors are filled using Kalam made of palm and bamboo. The colors used in the painting are derived from natural sources such as minerals, plant roots, bark, leaves, and stems. When each color is applied, the fabric is washed again in the running water. Thus every piece of Asmangiri tells a tale of patience and rich artistry.
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Different from other Kalamkari Styles - Srikalahasthi and Machilipatnam from Andhra Pradesh, Karuppur Kalamkari is a traditional craft nestled at the heart of Karuppur village of Tamil Nadu. This craft was born in the court of the Chola Empire and gained prominence during the Sevappa Nayaka, the first Nayaka Monarch of Thanjavur when he summoned skilled artisans from Karuppar to beautify city palaces and temples.
Being inspired by various Mythological stories and epics, this sustainable craft soon became an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s rich history and culture. The versatile pieces of Karuppar Kalamkari were historically used in Temple Hangings, Canopies, and Door Frame Panels, especially during temple celebrations like the Panguni Uthiram Festival. To respect the continuing legacy and richness of the craft, Karuppur Kalamkari received a Geographical Indication from the Government of India in 2021.
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| Meet Our Master Artisan
Mr. Lakshinarayan traces his descent directly from generations of artisans of the Chola Dynasty. He has empowered over 250 artisans in and around his native place Sikalnayakanpet through Workshops, Mentorships, and Training. As he belongs to the only family that is pursuing the craft currently, he has conducted various sessions with more than 1000 students to raise awareness about Karuppur Kalamkari with the vision of taking the craft forward.
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