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AJRAKH

The document discusses the craft of Ajrakh block printing from Kutch, India. It provides background on the history of the craft, dating back over 4,500 years. It describes the intricate 16-step process using natural dyes to print matching patterns on both sides of the fabric. Key materials used include indigo, madder, clay, and other plant-based sources. The summary highlights the craft's renowned patterns, lengthy production process, and opportunities and threats in today's market.

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Chhavi
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817 views18 pages

AJRAKH

The document discusses the craft of Ajrakh block printing from Kutch, India. It provides background on the history of the craft, dating back over 4,500 years. It describes the intricate 16-step process using natural dyes to print matching patterns on both sides of the fabric. Key materials used include indigo, madder, clay, and other plant-based sources. The summary highlights the craft's renowned patterns, lengthy production process, and opportunities and threats in today's market.

Uploaded by

Chhavi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AJRAKH

THE CRAFT OF KHATRIS

Submitted to
Prof. Raj k. Jaiswal

Submitted by
Chhavi Yadav, Srushti Vaidya, Tanya
Uniyal, Dhanali Sandesara
AJRAKH
INTRODUCTION

The art of block-printing on cotton cloth has been practiced in


India for over 4500 years.
The popular story among local practitioners is that Ajrakh
means “keep it today.”.
The word ajrakh is derived from the word azarukh, meaning
‘blue’ in Arabic and Persian, and ajrakh is believed to have the
universe or the sky as its theme. The blue in the design
symbolizes the sky, the red symbolizes twilight, and the night
is indicated by black. The white motifs interspersed
throughout the fabric are like stars on a dark night.

The special feature of ajrakh is that it is block-printed on both


sides of the fabric with the impressions matching precisely,
making the cloth reversible, with the same depth of print and
color on both sides.
PROCESS OF
AJRAKH MAKING
Creating an ajrakh is a long and laborious
process of resist printing. The fabric goes
through 16 stages of processing, multiple
printing and dyeing and can take a month to
produce. The geometric patterns are printed
with wooden blocks and dyed in madder or
alizarine red and indigo blue, using natural
mineral and vegetable dyes.

The meenakari ajrakh, which has deeper and


more vibrant colours, is printed again in alum,
and selected areas are over-printed with resist
paste before dyeing again in the indigo bath.
A true ajrakh is that which is identically
printed on both the sides.it is the only
block printed textile which is printed this
way.

Ajrakh being a hand-printed fabric is more


than what it seems to be.along with its
beuty and complicated making process, it
involves specialities that has made the
textile renowned over the world.
RAW MATERIALS USED

CAMEL DUNG CLAY IRON


RAW MATERIALS USED

RAW INDIGO CASIA TORA MOLASEES


RAW MATERIALS USED

NATURAL SODA GUM ARABIC LIME (POWDER)


RAW MATERIALS USED

POMEGRANATE RUBBARB ROOT MADDER ROOT


RAW MATERIALS USED

HENNA LEAVES TAMARIX FLOWER MALABAR NEEM


RAW MATERIALS USED

ALIZARIN ALUM TURMERIC


RAW MATERIALS USED

LAC
PROCESS OF
MAKING AJRAKH
PRE- PRINTING
PROCESS
1. Kumbh
2. Saaj
3. Kasano
PRINTING
PROCESS
1. Kiryanu printing
2. Kut printing
3. PA printing
4. Gach printing
5. Achcho patto printing
6. First indigo dyeing
7. Second indigo dyeing
8. Viccharnu (washing)
9. Alizarin Boil
10. Final wasing
11. Meenakari
12. (Bodaw) Second indigo dyeing
13. Vichharnu
14. Second alizarin boil
15. Kiryanu printing
16. Alum boil
SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Renowned for its beautiful and intricate pattern
Held in a place of respect for its complicated and
lengthy process
Naturally obtained materials
Numerous dsigners have used the designs in their
works
WEAKNESSES
Huge amounts of water is required
Quality of water affects the making
production capacity fluctuates depending on the
season
OPPORTUNITIES
promotion of craft through fairs and exhibitions
artisan training
producing more colour variations
can be adaptedin contemporary markets
THREATS
screen printed or digitally printed textiles emerging
more and more
igorance of traditional ajrakh
synthetic textiles affecting quality
MARKET
OPPORTUNITIES
A fashion statement for the affluent buyers, both men and women, looking for organic, ethical fashion. The act of
buying hand-made today is because many consumers are rejecting mass-production methods that damage the
environment and the livelihoods of producers.
Block printing artisans in Kutch still face strong competition from producers of screen-printed fabric, including
imitations of ajrakh
The tourist fuelled bazaars of Rajasthan, which are passed off as original and sell well to tourists andun-knowing
customers. Even the irregularities occurring in block-printed textiles where the edges of the block repeat are
aligned, to feign authenticity.
Thus, for genuine hand-made products, material outlining the process, history and people behind the craft is
important for reaching customers searching for the ‘real thing’. The All India Crafts Association has put in place
such material. The Craftsmark label guarantees a product is genuinely handmade
As we see there are many brands that help the local artisans by collaborating with them,
Vraj:bhoomi,is sustainable and craft-oriented at its core. It is a ‘one craft label’, that is committed to revive and
relive each craft of this cultural land (India). This brand solely works on how to revive the art of block printing -
Ajrakh.
The artisans with an awareness that it was the traditions that first attracted distant markets to their craft are able
to communicate a value of the cultural heritage of their craft, while realising a need to adapt for changing markets
Thus, the contemporary success of ajrakh is based not on completely abandoning the old and adapting according
to the whims of the market, but realising the value of the traditions and cultural heritage of ajrakh ,and taking
influence from them, while creatively and innovatively developing new traditions.
THANK YOU

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