Kalamkari workers throng Srikakulam

Kalamkari workers lay fabrics under water in the Krishnaat Srikakulam village to get the perfect colour. Photo: T. Appala Naidu

Kalamkari workers are making a beeline for the banks of the Krishna at Srikakulam in Krishna district, as the water here is crystal clear without effluents, to wash textiles.

They undertake the 40-km journey from their hometown Pedana every day during the summer to reach Srikakulam as the canals near their home have dried. The fabrics are laid in flowing water to get the perfect colour.

“We believe the sacred Krishna flows for us. In summer, it helps us in two ways: promises ample water and brings out the perfect concentration of colour,” Kalamkari workers G Nagaraju and B. Prasad told

The Hindu . Their team washes textiles that are meant for export to many European countries.