Rajsthani Textiles – Blending of Bandhni and Block Printing

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Discover the colour of Rajasthani Textiles
Rajasthan is the home of an astounding variety of traditional crafts. Century-old skills continue to produce some of the most artistic and exciting wares in Rajathan which are admired and collected not only by connoisseurs in India but are popular all across the world. Tourists coming to Rajasthan make it a point to buy some excellent Raajasthani fabrics which are going to make their memory always colourful and bright. Rajasthan is a land of vibrant colours; these colours are a striking part of the Rajasthani life and are found in the bustling bazars, in fairs & festivals, in the costumes worn and in the traditional paintings & murals. Rajasthani textiles are the representative of that myriad hue woven in the cloth. Be it the multi coloured tie and dye work or excellent block printing, Rajasthan astonishes the entire world with its skill and efficiency.

Lost In the Hues of Tie and Dye
Just like any other region of the world, Rajasthan also specializes in emerging some excellent fabric and the most precious one of the state being tie and dye work which is also called 'bandhni' in local language. Heart-warming designs, dyed in a particular style, this age old artistry reign supreme in Rajasthan. The art of bandhani is highly skilled process and Rajasthani artisans have come a long way in developing new designs and patterns every time fashion statement changed here. Now the tie and dye clothes are one of the most exported fabrics of India which also carries a part of Rajasthan with it.

Different methods are used to tie the fabric into small points producing a number of patterns. Lahariya, Mothda, Ekdali and Shikari are the most popular patterns amongst all the styles of bandhni and every design exhibit a unique look and nature. Lahariya and Mothra are similar designs where Lahariya has long lines in various shades running diagonally through the entire piece of cloth and Mothra showcases a checked effect with opposite diagonals. The human and animal figures depicting nicely in the dazzling colours is the identity of Shikari bandhni. Ekdali pattern flaunts small circles and squares in different shades of colour and the cluster of three, four and seven multi coloured dots make it even more gorgeous. Sikar and Jodhpur are the most favoured destinations for excellent tie and dye work while Jaipur, Barmer, Pali, Udaipur and Nathdwada are still on their way to attain the maximum height.

Journey Through Mazes of Block Prints
Rajasthan is the heartland of hand-block printing. Stunning, unusual combinations of scarlet shocking pink, purple and orange, turquoise and parrot green, saffron and crimson, shot with gold and silver steal the limelight in any gathering. The process of hand block printing includes artisans to soak carved wooden blocks in different colours and then paste them on the fabric thus creating some magical wonder on the piece of cloth. Exquisite floral prints and designs made in vegetable colour is the specialty of Rajasthan block printing. The art of Khari or overprinting in gold is also practiced in Rajasthan. This makes the traditional form of block printing even more charming and contemporary.

The Embroidered Grandeur
Rajasthani textiles come in a fascinating range of dyed and block-printed fabric which are further embellished with embroidery. The women of Rajasthan have mastered the art of embroidering fabrics. In applique, different pieces of cloth are patched together to make a multi-coloured mosaic. The exotic colours, shapes and pattern combinations against contrasting backgrounds catch the eye. Inspired from the neighbouring state Gujarat, the mirror work is also famous among the local women and people.