a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
C
a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
D
a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
1. Kalamkari painting is a traditional Indian art form involving drawing and painting on cotton textiles.
2. The name 'Kalamkari' literally means 'pen-work' (kalam - pen, kari - work), referring to the use of a special pen made of bamboo or date palm stick, pointed at one end with a bundle of fine hair attached, to draw intricate designs and apply dyes.
3. This art form has two main styles: Srikalahasti style (which uses the pen for freehand drawing and dyeing) and Machilipatnam style (which involves block printing along with hand painting).
4. Both styles originated and are predominantly practiced in Andhra Pradesh, South India.
5. Therefore, Kalamkari painting refers to a hand-painted (or block-printed and painted) cotton textile in South India (Option A).
6. Options (B), (C), and (D) describe different types of handicrafts or textiles from other regions (North-East India, Western Himalayan region, North-Western India) and using different materials (bamboo, woollen cloth, silk cloth), which do not correspond to Kalamkari.