What Is ROOTED by KALKI?
ROOTED collection by KALKI is more than a fashion piece; it is a textile ode to India’s essence. Drawn from the creativity of hand block printing, ajrakh blocks, and kalamkari art, this specially designed collection merges the agelessness of heritage with silhouettes adapted for the contemporary muse.
Every piece in ROOTED is personally crafted by artisans who possess generations of wisdom. From the rich indigos of ajrakh or the rhythmic exactness of hand-stamped block print motifs, the collection re-tethers us to our origins, where every stitch speaks a tale, and every print resonates with legacy.
ROOTED not only ages well. It means well.
The Legacy of Indian Hand Block Printing
There was slow craft before fast fashion. Hand block printing was one of its oldest and most classic expressions.
Block printing on fabric in India is an ancient Indian textile craft in which wooden blocks are manually carved with delicate motifs and immersed in natural dyes, and carefully pressed onto fabric. From Bagru and Sanganer in Rajasthan to Ajrakhpur in Gujarat, every region adds its own methods, colour narratives, and symbolism to the fabric.
Ajrakh band block prints employ indigo, madder, and resist-dyeing to achieve breathtaking symmetry. Bagru block prints are famous for floral motifs and earth tones with turmeric, iron rust, and pomegranate rind. Kalamkari, a narrative scroll art that began ages ago, employs a bamboo nib and plant dyes to paint heavenly stories on fabric.
The outcome? Not fashion, but living heritage, worn proudly and passed down with intention.
Craft Meets Couture: The Making of ROOTED Styles
Behind every ROOTED collection kurta, saree, or co-ord is a process that is as meditative as it is detailed. Here’s what goes into making these masterpieces:
Block Carving: Each piece starts with experienced artisans hand-carving motifs, floral, geometric, or mythological, on teakwood blocks.
Dye Extraction: Natural dyes are derived from minerals and plants such as indigo, harad (myrobalan), alum, and tamarind seeds.
Stamping: The fabric block is immersed in dye and hand-stamped on the fabric, layer by layer, colour by colour, with precision-matching.
Drying & Fixing: Block print fabrics need to be sun-dried, river-washed, and heat-fixed to lock in the colour and intensity.
Tailoring & Detailing: And lastly, the cloth gets sliced off, molded, and adorned with flowing silhouettes that merge the earthy with the elegant.
This is fashion with a pulse, not mass-made, but birthed by hand.
Top Picks from the ROOTED Collection to Reconnect with Your Roots
Handblock Indigo Tiered Dress
This elegant dress is a sight ode to ajrakh hand block print craftsmanship. Made from pure cotton and soaked in handblock indigo prints, it has pouring tiers that add volume and movement. Delicate mirror work glimmers with every step, while natural dye gives the garment an earthy depth. It’s perfect for cultural nights, barefoot retreats, or slow Sundays with soulful sounds.
Kalamkari Print Angrakha Kurta Set
Mixing narrative design with everyday refinement, this Angrakha kurta is a tribute to kalamkari’s vine-inspired block print motifs in rich, earthy hues. The wrap cut complements every shape, and the tie-up detail gives it personality and comfort. Worn with flared palazzos or traditional churidars, it’s the sort of top that gets compliments at office lunches or art indie shows.
Ajrakh Panel Co-ord Set
This top-and-bottom ensemble is a coordinated one, with the modern wearer in mind who adores heritage with form. Bold ajrakh hand block print panels meet neutral tones, the look being a dramatic, geometric beat. Cut is modern, boxy and sleek, but the craft is old and deliberate. Wear it to the office, art gallery showings, or simply when you’d like your outfit to make a statement.
Floral Buta Printed Anarkali
Unlocking royal nostalgia, this floor-sweeping Anarkali boasts intricate floral buta prints block-pressed by master craftsmen. Classic silhouetted – flared with structured yoke – yet relaxed with contrast piping and hand-tied tassel ties. Lightweight and airy, it is perfect for daytime weddings, festive brunch gatherings, or as your trusty twirl dress.
Organic Dyed Dupattas
No traditional wardrobe is complete without a dupatta that has a story to share. These natural mul cotton dupattas are hand-dyed in earth tones such as turmeric yellow, madder red, and iron black, each bearing hand-stamped subtle block motifs. Handmade tassels edge them, and they are soft against the skin, layering over anything seamlessly, adding warmth, texture, and a soulful touch to your ensemble.
Returning Home to ROOTED
In a world that’s moving fast, ROOTED is a soft stop, a reminder of how we began, what we bear, and why it endures. Each stitch, stamp, and swirl in this collection tells of old hands and eternal artistry, interwoven into shapes that are of the present.
To wear ROOTED is not only to dress beautifully. It is to tread in history, to pay homage to the earth, and to rejoice in the quiet strength of Indian artisanship. Whether you are rediscovering your heritage or proclaiming it proudly, these are the clothes that bind you, tightly, heartfully, fashionably to your roots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Every item is hand-stamped, so it’s unique with subtle imperfections that create character.
ROOTED kurtas are hand-made with natural dyes and artist-carved blocks—not mass-produced or digitally printed.
Yes. Couple with statement accessories, structured bottoms, or metallic embellishments for a sleek ethnic-formal look.
Yes. Local artisan labor, minimal machinery, and natural dyes make it possibly the most eco-friendly way to produce textiles.
Cold hand wash using mild detergent, dry in shade, and do not soak to maintain vibrancy of dyes.
