Hastamudra - Black Bangalore Silk Kalamkari Dupatta with Zari Border

Across a deep black ground, a quiet conversation of hands. Each motif is a mudra  the gesture language of classical Indian dance and temple sculpture, where a turn of the wrist becomes a word and a curled finger becomes a whole sentence. Abhaya for fearlessness. Pataka for the flag. Hamsasya for the swan's beak, holding something small and precious.

The dupatta is Bangalore silk, printed by hand in the kalamkari tradition of Andhra Pradesh, where the motif is built up in ivory against a dark ground and the linework is fine enough to read the rings on a finger. A woven gold zari border runs the length of the drape, with an undyed ivory panel at the selvedge that lets the black settle.

Bangalore silk has a particular quality on the shoulder - light, with a soft fall rather than a stiff one, and a sheen that reads as depth instead of shine. Wear it over an ivory or off-white kurta and let the hands do the talking. Wear it over black and let the gold do it instead.

Made by hand. Small irregularities in the print — a lighter impression here, a slight overlap there — are the mark of the block, not a flaw.

Details

• Fabric: Bangalore silk
• Craft: Hand block printed kalamkari, Andhra Pradesh
• Colour: Black with ivory motifs, gold zari border
• Length: 2.5m
  
• Border: Woven zari on both lengths
• Finish: [Tasselled / hand-knotted fringe] at both ends
  

Wash care

• Dry clean recommended for the first wash
• Thereafter, hand wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent
• Do not bleach, soak, or wring
• Dry in shade, inside out — direct sun will dull both the black and the zari
• Iron on medium heat, on the reverse, with a cotton cloth over the zari
• Store folded in a cotton or muslin bag, away from damp. Refold along a different line every few months so the zari doesn't crease permanently