Traditional Indian Wall Hangings

Kalamkari

• The Kalamkari technique is a Persian style that gained favor during the Mogul empire and found its way into India’s Madras region on the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Families around Masulipatam make intricate Kalamkari wall hangings using blocks. Known for their decorative borders, Kalamkari wall hangings depict elaborate scenes. A single tapestry may take months to create. Printers apply the Kalamkari technique to napkins, tablecloths and place mats, as well as wall hangings.

Gujarat

• The Gujarati style incorporates an ancient art form called leaper, or mud, work. Embroidery, beads, mirrors and bright colors combine in textile wall hangings from the Gujarati region on India’s upper west coast. Other Gujarati wall hangings from rural regions are made of terra cotta and wood. Gujarati types include but are not limited to Chakla, mud, Kutch and cotton wall hangings.

Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu is on the southeastern tip of the Asian subcontinent and is home to platter wall hangings. Platter hangings, called Tanjore metal plates, date to royalty in the late 18th century. Platter hangings are crafted from bronze and brass. Artists beat the metal into different shapes, etch images of gods and goddesses and encrust the metal with fragrant oils.

Kashmir

• The most famous wall hangings from India’s Kashmir region are papier mache. A Kashmiri prince learned the Persian art form while he was imprisoned in Central Asia in the 15th century, according to Kashmir.net. Kashmiri papier mache artists painstakingly soak, drain and make paper into malleable pulp. The pulp is molded into realistic shapes, such as leaves, flowers and birds. Artisans paint, burnish and lacquer the shapes, which reflect the Kashmiri experience.