India has a wide variety of textile arts and it holds a place of pride and one of them is block printing techniques in India. The handicraft sector in India is boosting with different textiles, styles and techniques being used in different parts of the states. Each has its own unique style which is easily recognisable when worn. The block printing and fabric dyeing has undergone revolution and currently this industry is blooming.

This blog will take you to the tour of 9 best block printing techniques in India.

1. Batik

Batik is a form of handloom and fabric printing in India. Here the fabric is printed with wax resist before before being dyed. Hence,the final design produces creative and intricate patterns. This technique has 3 steps: waxing, dying and scraping (removing). It is produced in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

2. Kalamkari

Kalamkari is a type of block printing technique in India which is famous in Andra Pradesh. It is a painting which is done on cotton fabric with a kalam. I.e pen, which involves a sharp-pointed pierced bamboo that regulates the flow of colour on the cotton fabric. It can be hand-made or machine printing.

3. Bagh

Bagh is a traditional handicraft which originated in Bagh, in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. It uses hand printed wooden block practised on natural colours of red, black and made on white background. Geometric shapes in vibrant colours are used in this technique.

4. Ajarakh

Ajarakh is a form of block printing technique which  originated in Mohenjo-Daro. The word ‘Ajarakh derives it’s name from  the Arabic word ‘Azrak’ which means blue. Indigo blue is the pre-dominant colour used in this Ajrak printing. It is done within the grid which creates repetitive patterns forming web like structure.

5. Bandhani

It is a type of fabric dyeing method which was started by Khatri community in Gujarat. The word ‘Bandhani’ derives it’s name from the word ‘Bandhan’ which means tying up. This technique involves dyeing a fabric which is tied tightly with a thread at several points, thus producing a variety of patterns depending on the the manner in which the cloth is tied. Thus, it is called as tie and dye process. A design is made up of dots of different sizes against a backdrop of bright colours   

6. Dabu

Dabu is an traditional form of block printing technique in India which uses floral and thematic patterns of design. In this fabric dyeing technique, it uses organic colours and vegetable pastes. Hence, they are eco-friendly and skin-friendly. It is a mud-resist hand block printing technique used in state of Rajasthan.

7. Sanganeri

Sanganeri is a type of block printing technique which originated from Sanganer, a village in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It is a very old form of block printing which is popular even today. Delicate patterns and lines with bright and vibrant colors are the distinct factors for this kind of block printing. Royal patronage and cultural heritage has inspired a lot in this form of craft to develop around for years.

8. Leheriya

Leheriya is a tie-dye craft practised in the state of Rajasthan. It is also known as wrap resist technique. It is a fabric with colourful diagonal or chevron stripped patterns and these strips are created through resist dyeing. Here,the fabric is rolled or folded before it is tied. 

9. Bagru

This block printing technique is done using natural colours. It is a craft practised by ‘Chippas’  community in Rajasthan. It uses wooden hand block prints to make designs. Bagru prints use dark colour on a cream or a dyed background. Hence, this traditional design is now becoming a global fashion in today’s world.

Conclusion

Here we saw the best block techniques in India  which have been practised in India since ages. The fabric dyeing techniques and the creativity used by our craftsmen is something which we must be proud of. As India is known as the country of ‘Unity in Diversity’, we can see this even in our Indian block printing techniques.

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