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Kalakrama — A Deeper Look

kalamkari

AdiValka’s collections always stem from a moment of deep inspiration. With our first ever collection, the ikat collection, we were enamoured with the Indian tradition of weaving and so used that to create the mini-collection. With Embracing Ogha, our first true collection, we decided to honour the concept that inspired our brand itself, uninterrupted Indic traditions. And with Kalakrama, we take the next step in our journey.

AdiValka honours the generational knowledge, connection and effort that form the bedrock of our uninterrupted traditions with our new collection, Kalakrama: The Rule of Art Sanctioned By Tradition, formed at the confluence of the age-old traditions of kalamkari fabrics and handloom fabrics honouring the skill of textile artists. Each design represents AdiValka’s mission of bringing together the Indic traditions of fabric making and clothing, with the contemporary idiom of fashion. Our use of the kalamkari fabrics and motifs in our garments symbolises the interconnectedness of the rich Indic heritage that inspires us everyday.

Kalamkari, known in Sanskrit as Pattachitra (patta = cloth, chitra = picture) prior to medieval Islamic rule in India, is an art form still found in Orissa and other parts of India. Under medieval Islamic rule, the practice was popularized under the name Kalamkari meaning drawing with a pen (kalam = pen, kari = craftmanship) under the patronage of the Golconda sultanate.

The art of Kalamkari has evolved over the last 3000 years to form what today is a meticulous and adaptable process that allows it to be accessible to a wider range of consumers. An eco-friendly art form, only natural dyes such as roots, berries, bark, leaves, wood, fungi, and lichens are used in the production process. The artisans we work with to source our fabrics hand-block printed each and every detail and motif, creating a final product we fell in love with — only the best for our customers.

kalamkari

In Indic tradition, people have always been connected with nature, and have used it as a source of inspiration for myriad art forms (Kalamkari included). Artisans have also been inspired by deities and scenes taken from the Hindu epics — Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Purana and the mythological classics — thereby immortalizing in art the principles and values that governed their everyday lives.

The next step in our journey at AdiValka, Kalakrama represents our effort to bring forth a product that not only fulfils the promise we make of garments that are adaptable, comfortable and protective, but also continue to link you directly to the vast, rich heritage of Indic fabric making, fashion design and the very essence of Indic culture itself.

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Yoga & AdiValka: Freedom From All That Confines

ˇyoga citta vritti nirodhah

While yoga as a discipline has overtaken and changed the world with it’s grounding nature, simplicity of purpose, and versatility of form, in our story yoga is one of, if not the primary reason AdiValka came into being. 

AdiValka was born of the void Manisha Naidu, designer and CEO, felt of comfortable, functional clothes that would allow yogis (as well as dancers, martial art practitioners & students of these disciplines alike) to experience unrestrictive movement in clothes that were not body-hugging and tight fitted. Manisha found her inspiration for what would become AdiValka’s signature dhoti pants in the kachche dhoti (more about this in our previous blog post), and began the process of tailoring AdiValka’s signature dhoti pants to complement and enhance one’s yoga practice.

yoga inspiration

AdiValka’s signature dhoti pants are the epitome of functional comfort wear that embody the concept of “fashion with a purpose.” Every aspect of the pants were researched and developed for its utility while maintaining the aesthetic of the contemporary idiom of fashion.

The cut of our dhoti pants allows one a wide range of motion and complete freedom of movement. Add to this, we only use only the best fabric — (ethically sourced) 100% cotton — to create our garments. Every aspect of our process is approached with the same tapas that yoga teaches and encourages in its students. 

yoga inspiration

We embellish our garments with natural healing elements with the explicit purpose of protecting the wearer and encouraging positive energy in their environment. These elements are said to not only promote spiritual connectivity and radiate positive energy, but also actively combat negative influences and help enhance your meditative practices. Most importantly, we constantly innovate to make sure our pants are providing what any yogi (of any level) would need. 

In our latest collection, Kalakrama: The Rule of Art Sanctioned by Tradition, we’ve embellished our garments with rudraksha, sandalwood, and tulasi bead tassels and buttons. The aroma of sandalwood helps the mind to unwind and increases spiritual energy. The tulasi beads radiate positive energy and help center the mind. 

Kalakrama — The Rule of Art Sanction by Tradition

yoga citta vritti nirodhah yoga frees you from the drama, the tragedy, the saga your mind creates, and allows you to experience your true self.

AdiValka’s products free you from the world of synthetic, tight-fitted, restrictive garments. Our products are an experience of a rare luxury — of warm, flowing and comfortable clothing, that aid you in your journey to connect with your truth.