Kalamkari art takes time and effort to create. Practised extensively in the small town of Pedana, roughly 12 kilometres off the old coastal trading city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, the block printers belong to the Devanga, Kannebhaktulu, Senapathalu and Padmasali communities. They are dedicated to preserving the unique print. The common designs include enchanting trees, flowering vines like poppies and intricate Persian-inspired motifs too. There are 17 stages in the creative process. At each stage, the craft embraces nature, from preparing the cotton textile to block printing and dyeing. These dyes come from roots, leaves, indigo, tamarind seeds and turmeric.