What is the meaning of Ajrak?
The word Ajrak is derived from an Arabic word “Azrak” which means ‘blue’. It usually measures 2.5 to three meters fabric with special block printed designs and patterns in intense colours, mostly rich crimson and deep indigo with some white and black used to define the geometric symmetry in design.
What is Ajrak material?
A type of block-printed fabric, Ajrak is usually found in Kutch (Gujarat) and Barmer (Rajasthan). One of the most common dyes used for this type of printing is indigo. Ajrak has been dated back to Mohenjo-Daro, where the kings and Royals have been shown wearing similar prints to those observed in Ajrak patterns today.
How can we identify Ajrakh?
To identify ajrakh one needs to look for fabric with a background of red or blue (though other vegetable dye colours like yellow and green have been introduced) Traditionally four colours were used red (alizarin), blue (indigo), black (iron acetate) white (resist).
How is Ajrak made?
The use of natural herbs and raw materials used in the making of the Ajrak is awe inspiring because the next stage of printing uses rice paste, alum, molasses, Fuller’s earth, fennel and gum to form the mud resist-paste, called the Kharrh. It is applied on the white, black and the portions that are to be dyed red.
Where is ajrak print done?
Ajrak (Sindhi: اجرڪ), also known as Ajrakh, is a unique form of blockprinting found mostly in Sindh, Pakistan and Ajrakhpur, Kutch district, India. These shawls display special designs and patterns made using block printing by stamps.
Where is Ajrakh art widely practiced?
Ajrakh art form is widely practiced in Bhuj. The epicenter of the the Ajrakh art form in the India,is a small village in Gujarat which is known as the Ajrakhpur.
Why is Ajrakh expensive?
Newer colours have been developed, along with new blocks, techniques etc. Ajrak has predominantly been a craft using natural dyes, making it inherently expensive. However, with the increase in demand for fast fashion products and cheaper items, chemical dyes have been utilised in Ajrak products.
Which place is famous for ajrak print in Rajasthan?
Today, the Khatri community continue to dominate in ajrak printing in the few remaining areas where the art perseveres, Ajrakhpur village in Kutch district, Gujarat and Barmer, Rajasthan. Ajrakhpur is a relatively new village and its name commemorates the textile art of ajrak printing.
What is special about ajrak?
Ajrak (Sindhi: اجرڪ), also known as Ajrakh, is a unique form of blockprinting found mostly in Sindh, Pakistan and Ajrakhpur, Kutch district, India. These shawls display special designs and patterns made using block printing by stamps. Over the years, ajraks have become a symbol of the Sindhi culture and traditions.
Who invented ajrak?
Ajrak, as the form of textile printing is known, was originally practised in the Sindh region till about around 400 years ago when the Khatri community that worked on these textiles due to water shortage in Sindh, moved to Dhamadka, 50 km east of Bhuj, in Kutch.
What is the difference between Ajrakh and block print?
The blocks used for printing patterns are intricately hand-carved and have complex geometric designs and floral motifs. In several patterns, the painted Ajrakh cloth has various colours like red, blue, black and white. The block print in Bagru is done mainly in black, red and beige.
How is Ajrakh printing done?
The authentic Ajrak is printed on both sides by a method called resist printing. The printing is done by hand with hand carved wooden blocks. Several different blocks are used to give the characteristic repeated patterning.
What are Ajrak prints?
One of the most ancient in the traditional art of printing on fabrics, Ajrak prints are a distinguishable form of wood block printing that seems to find its roots or influences in the Indus Valley Civilization.
What is a Ajrak shawl?
Ajrak ( Sindhi: اجرڪ ), also known as Ajrakh, is a unique form of blockprinting found mostly in Sindh, Pakistan and Ajrakhpur, Kutch district, India. These shawls display special designs and patterns made using block printing by stamps.
What is the difference between ajarak and lateral printing?
The lateral ends are printed using a wider, double margin in order to differentiate the layouts of borders. Ajarak printing is a long process involving many stages of printing and washing the fabric over and over again with various natural dyes and mordants such as harda, lime, alizarin, indigo and even camel dung.
What is Ajrak block?
Ajrak blocks. The most commonly observed pattern in Ajrak blocks and hence the fabric is dots between two lines, these dots are of same radius in almost all the design. These dots were initially carved out by hands, however later on brass nails were used to fill spaces between the two walls.