Story to express contemporary ideas through the traditional practices of textile printing made her to pursue Batik and Kalamkari. Maria Clara is the founder of Qalam Batik, a Hyderabad-based studio specializing in handcrafted Batik and Kalamkari art. With over 20 years of corporate experience, she transitioned to full-time art during the COVID-19 pandemic, rediscovering her passion for textile traditions. Maria formally launched her brand in 2022 with support from We-Hub, Telangana's platform for women entrepreneurs. She is deeply skilled in wax-resist Batik techniques, Kalamkari brushwork, and the use of natural dyes sourced from leaves, flowers, and roots. Her debut solo exhibition, The Vigil, was held at the State Art Gallery in 2023. Through Qalam Batik, she has completed bespoke orders for clients across India and overseas, including the US, UK, and Australia. Maria is passionate about preserving India’s traditional art forms and regularly conducts workshops for students and women. She sees art as both healing and expressive—a reflection of resilience, tradition, and spiritual connection. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx