India has always been the best host of a wide variety of textile arts! It is one of the most authentic parts of Indian culture and is celebrated all over the world for its finest artistic value. Earlier, colors were derived from plants and animals which were the only source of natural color. Application of these colors was also used to give texture, increase the durability of the fabric and add an element of interest.
Dyeing and printing are one of the most popular and unique forms of fabric coloring and decoration. Every state of India has its own unique and distinctive printing and dyeing style. India has been one worth boasting about. Different regions represent their own styles, textures, and techniques with different methods of producing distinctive art. The printing industry has witnessed a complete revolution, and now blooming in a beautiful way. This printing guide focuses on various fabric dyeing techniques and block printing in India that deserve to be get acknowledged, preserved, and appreciated.
Kalamkari
Kalamkari originates from the state of Andhra Pradesh. The most significant feature of this dyeing and printing technique is that craftsmen use only natural colors extracted from fruits and plants to dye the cloth. The use of wax helps to keep some areas free of color while dyeing and the rest are done by hand. The main sources of inspiration are Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Ajrakh
It is a creative product from the ancient Mohenjo-Daro civilization that involves a unique type of block printing. This art form involves stamps for the process of block printing. In the printing process, wooden blocks engraved in geometric shapes and patterns are dipped in natural dyes and used later on!
Dabu
It is a beautiful mud resist hand block printing technique that originates in Rajasthan. It is a time-consuming printing technique that involves many phases and a great amount of labor. It has survived the test of time with some difficulty.
Sanganeri
It is a unique technique of block printing that primarily originated in Rajasthan. This technique of printing is commonly seen on apparel and other objects of home décor. The blocks that are used in the technique involve gorgeous flowers, floral designs with buds, leaves, mangoes, and even jhumkas to make the print more appealing.
Bandhani
It is a tie-and-dye technique that has been traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. This art of dyeing originated in Gujarat. In this process, the fabric is tied into tiny knots and then dyed. Mostly the background colors chosen are bright such as green, red, pink, yellow, etc.
Leheriya
It is a simple dyeing technique that is quite popular in Rajasthan, it mainly consists of striped textiles in a great variety of vivid colors. Usually, silk or cotton resists dyeing. The technique got its name after the pattern it forms that it waves, which is known as Leheriya in Rajasthan.
Bagru
Being popular in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the printing technique is laborious but produces exquisite results. This technique has been developed by families and handed down traditionally in Rajasthan over 100 years old.
