block printing

Hand Block Printing of Bagru, Rajasthan

The block print in Bagru is done mainly in beige, red and black. Shades of blue with much use of indigo blue dyeing processes is a characteristic of this centre. Bagru is also famous for its mud resist process Dabu and direct printing. The motifs are simple and include floral and linear patterns.

Bagru Print Paisley Border

Hand Block Printing of Balotra, Rajasthan

The traditional block-printing running in parallel lines technique of Ajrakh has attained a peak of excellence at Balotra. Although a desert climate but good water is one of the main reasons which imparts good colors which is so important for hand-block printing. The speciality of the block printing of Balotra is that it is done on both sides of the cloth. This is very diffult technique because there should not be any imbalance in the design-transfer from the block to the cloth. The reverse side hand block printing is done simultenously even when the other side of the design print is wet. The hand-block printed fabric from Balotra is therefore very exclusive and relatively expensive.

Hand Block Printing of Barmer, Rajasthan

Barmer, is famous for it hand block print. The prints are inspired from the Sind region. Various items that are made in Barmer are turbans, sarees and traditonally worn lungis, Head gear and shoulder cloth made are worn by Sindhi Muslims. The designs in Barmer are bold, the popular one being the chirkala booti which is a flaming red chilli having a blue-black outline surrounded by flower-laden trees.

Hand Block Printing of Jahota, Rajasthan

Villages of Jahota in Jaipur are famous for the jahota hand block printing. It is believed that Maharaja Jai Singh and his wife uplifted this art amongst the local artists. They both took interest amongst the art and the people involved in this field.

Today also artists perform the work with all the inherited skills from the ancestors. These artists first carve the design on the wooden blocks with their fine tolls. Later using the natural and chemical dyes they print the motif on the fabric. In this fashion savvy world the artists have started designing to the demands of buyers and natural dyes have also been replaced by chemical dyes. Jahota is famous for its chilani print, tradtionally worn by brides in certain communities.

Hand Block Printing of Jaipur, Rajasthan

Most of the Block Printing is done in Sanganer and bagru. Kalamkari Prints and floral motifs with pastel colors are done on the fabric. In kalamkari print normally four to five colors are used. jaipur not being the biggest centre for hand block print is a trading centre for the craft and you can find local shops in Bapu Bazar Nehru bazar and Johari Bazar all selling various hand block printed items.

Textiles of Jammu & Kashmir

Masnads and jamas are block printed floor coverings and considered very comfortable. The designs are attractive floral and geometrical patterns. Another popular craft is the Calico prints from Samba.

Wooden Block Making for Hand Printing

Hand- block printing is practiced mostly all overIndia and every region has its own style and colour scheme. Pilakhua in Uttar-Pradesh has craftsperson’s making brass blocks and using it for outlining the design. In Jaipur the craftspersons carve the wooden blocks on sagoon wood. Later the carved portion is dipped in the colour and then printed over the fabric.

Pethapur in Gujarat remains an important centre for block printing. Today the craft is declining because of mills.