A PAINTED COTTON TEMPLE HANGING (KALAMKARI), PROBABLY SRIKALAHASTI, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY

of rectangular form, the main panel depicting the coronation of Rama (Ramapattabhisheka) with Rama flanked by attendants under a cusped arch, with Sita and Lakshmana in separate panels on either side, three registers of further scenes above and below, each labelled in Telugu, the whole surrounded by chevron and scrolling borders, 260 x 127cm

Srikalahasti or Kalahasti is one of a handful of production centres for kalamkaris in Southern India. It is thought to have been active since the 15th century, although there is firm evidence for production only in the 19th century. Just a small number of families were involved and production had petered out by the 1930s.

For two examples also with scenes from the Ramayana in the Victoria and Albert Museum, see Anna L. Dallapiccola, 'Kalamkari Temple Hangings', Ahmedabad/London 2015, pp.56-77.