The Mangalagiri Kalamkari saree combines the unique handloom weaving of Mangalagiri with the traditional hand-painted art of Kalamkari.
Fabric: Typically woven in a silk-cotton blend. Mangalagiri fabrics are known for their dense, fine texture, light weight, and crisp finish.
Body: The main body of a traditional Mangalagiri saree is usually plain (unwoven designs) and features vibrant, solid color like the earthy olive green.
Border: The defining feature is the Nizam border, a distinctive, heavy band of silver zari. This border is often narrow and woven with intricate traditional motifs, creating a striking contrast with the plain body.
Motifs: The designs often draw inspiration from nature, Hindu mythology, and temple art.
Color Palette: The natural dyes result in rich, earthy, and muted tones, such as deep reds (from Madder root), indigo blues, greens, yellows (from turmeric), and black (from a mixture of iron filings).
First Wash: It is highly recommended to Dry Clean Only for the first few washes, especially for silk and silk-cotton blends, to set the colors and prevent bleeding.
Subsequent Washes (For Cotton):
Hand Wash Gently: Use cold water and a very mild detergent or baby shampoo.
Avoid: Do not soak, vigorously scrub, or wring the saree, as this can damage the Kalamkari paint and the Zari work.
Rinsing: Rinse in cold water until all detergent is removed. You can add a tablespoon of rock salt to the rinse water to help further set the colors
Ironing: Iron the saree on a low-to-medium heat setting. For the Kalamkari-printed areas and the Zari border, iron on the reverse side or place a thin cotton/muslin cloth between the iron and the saree.
