This article is a descriptive study on the painted and printed textile tradition of the Kalamkari units of Andhra Pradesh using mordants and natural dyes. The initial representation of Kalamkari art was as religious paintings that depicted Indian gods. Kalamkari started during the Mughal dynasty and currently Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of Kalamkari fabric. With the emergence of high-quality power looms and the adoption of printed textiles; Kalamkari art was on the verge of extinction. However, printed Kalamkari is the new craze among the current generation as it is a combination of traditional and modern trends.

Keywords: Kalamkari, Ancient Art Form, Pedana, Machilipatnam, Painted Textiles, Block Printing.