Mudra Red Kalamkari Duffle Bag
The Product
This handcrafted, naturallydyed Kalamkari bag combines the pleasure of owning an intricate ancient artform with the privilege of experiencing its grace like royalty in a contemporary setting.
This bag with HastMudras (hand gestures in Indian Classical Dance) hand blocked in various vibrant colours has one big compartment, a slider pocket and a zip inside and outside. It also has a spacious compartment in which you can carry your wallet, keys etc. There is a slider pocket for lipsticks, eyeliner, and a small zip pocket for knickknacks. A small zip pocket outside at the back of the bag is where you can keep your mobile, car keys etc. The bag is secured by a zip on top and comes with a double handle as well as with a detachable and adjustable sling/strap.
This duffle bag is ideal for regular everyday use or occasional use.
Product Specifications
Product description: Mudra Red Kalamkari Duffle Bag
Package contains: 1 Mudra Red Kalamkari Duffle Bag
Material: Cotton Kalamkari
Colour: Red, yellow, blue
Dimensions (cms): 25.4 x 30.5 x 12.7
Weight: 380g
The Kalamkari Process
Kalamkari is an ancient style of hand painting done on cotton or silk fabric with a pointed bamboo stick using natural dyes. The word Kalamkari derives from kalam or pen and kari which refers to craftsmanship. It is the speciality of Andhra Pradesh and Telanagana whose artisans use freehand drawing of the subject and fill in the colours of the patterns which include flowers, peacocks, paisleys and divine characters of the Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. To create the designs, artists use a bamboo stick pointed at one end with a bundle of fine hair attached to the pointed end to serve as the nib. This pen is soaked in a mixture of fermented jaggery and water before it is used to apply colours. Kalamkari art primarily uses earthy colours like indigo, mustard, rust, black and green all derived from natural sources like jaggery, iron, pomegranate peels, madder and indigo.
This art involves 23 painstaking steps of dyeing, bleaching, hand painting, block printing, starching and cleaning, taking each artisans several weeks of work before the final product is ready.
Your Impact
This bag belongs to The Upcycle Project, born out of Chanchal's process of excellence where every piece of fabric is used. This collection has been put together using the fabric left over from their various other collections. Sustainability is not a choice for us. It is built into our DNA, say the founders of Chanchal and, by supporting this brand, you are making an ecofriendly choice to support fabric upcycling a process that keeps thousands of tons of textile waste out of landfills everyday.
What's more, the fabrics are sourced directly from weaving houses and cooperatives and every bag is handcrafted using traditional techniques. This means that with every bag you buy, you're encouraging Indian crafts and helping provide our artisans a sustainable livelihood.
Why we like it
This kalamkari handbag is one we really love for its standout design and functionality. This one really stands out from the crowd by combining a centuries old craft with a contemporary design.It is roomy enough to carry all your daily essentials and it transitions easily from a casual day out to a more evening occasion, pairing equally well with an Indian ensemble as with Western outfits.
Sakshi says
As someone who's always on the lookout for traditional, handmade accessories featuring Indian textile, this stylish duffle is a fantastic find! The sizing makes it easy to carry when I'm travelling and provides lots of room to carry my essentials, even for a short overnight work trip. It's also a great option as a gift for a friend or sister.