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Gujarat's Vibrant Handicrafts Guide

The region of Kutch in Gujarat is known for its vibrant handicrafts that have been passed down through generations. Several communities specialize in different handicrafts like tie-dye bandhini sarees, batik block printing, and ajrakh block printing featuring Islamic designs. Bandhini originated in the 12th century and the Khatri community is known for tying small dots on cloth before dyeing to create unique patterns. Batik printing also uses hand blocks to apply designs to fabric. Ajrakh specializes in indigo dye block printing and has a long tradition. These handicrafts showcase the traditional skills and designs that are a part of life for many villages in Gujarat.

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131 views1 page

Gujarat's Vibrant Handicrafts Guide

The region of Kutch in Gujarat is known for its vibrant handicrafts that have been passed down through generations. Several communities specialize in different handicrafts like tie-dye bandhini sarees, batik block printing, and ajrakh block printing featuring Islamic designs. Bandhini originated in the 12th century and the Khatri community is known for tying small dots on cloth before dyeing to create unique patterns. Batik printing also uses hand blocks to apply designs to fabric. Ajrakh specializes in indigo dye block printing and has a long tradition. These handicrafts showcase the traditional skills and designs that are a part of life for many villages in Gujarat.

Uploaded by

Deepak Bam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HANDICRAFT IN GUJRAT

The region of Kutch, which is a district of Gujarat, shines a glittering example of some of the best
handicrafts of the country. Yet, the true essence of the artists lies in their simplicity. Entire villages are
usually attuned to a particular skill that has been passed down from one generation to another. One
can very often find the women of the villages seated casually outside engrossed in their embroidery or
the men working away at washing or dyeing the fabrics. Thus, handicraft is a way of life, and often the
execution of their skill is a humble habit of practice rather than an arrogance of mastery.

Several handicrafts from Gujarat are special due to their uniqueness and vibrancy. Usually,
communities who hold the skill, knowledge, and practice of their art form through generations create
the specific handicrafts. Let us take a look at some of the most well-known handicrafts of Gujarat and
the communities and regions that practice them.

Bandhini – Tie and Dye Art

Bandhani is a type of tie-dye textile decorated by plucking the cloth with the fingernails into many tiny
bindings that form a figurative design. The term bandhani is derived from the Sanskrit verbal
root bandh ("to bind, to tie"). Today, most Bandhani making centers are situated in Gujarat, Bandhani
is also known as Bandhej Saree, Bandhni, Piliya, and Chungidi in Tamil and regional dialects. Other
tying techniques include Mothra, Ekdali and Shikari depending on the manner in which the cloth is
tied. The final products are known with various names including Khombi, Ghar Chola, Patori and
Chandrokhani.

Also known as the Tie and Dye or Bandhej handicraft, the Bandhini is colourful, vivid, and absolutely
stunning. Bandhini came to Gujarat in the 12th century. The Khatri community has been practising this
handicraft for generations which have become popular across the globe today. The method involves
tying the cloth tightly over small dots and then dyeing the material. After dyeing the knots are opened
imparting on the fabric a stark difference in design and colour. The bright hues of the Bandhini and its
unique patterns and designs make it a loved handicraft. Bandhini creates magic on various garments,
including the saree and dupattas. Some of the different patterns include Gharcholu, Chokidal, and
Kambaliya. Some of the best Bandhini garments and patterns are found in Jamnagar, Bhuj, and
Mandvi.

Batik – Block Painting Art


Batik is a form of block painting art. Usually done using hand blocks the designs from the blocks are
printed on the fabric with detailing and care. Again practised by the Khatri community Batik was
extremely popular during the 16th century and was exported to Indonesia etc. Initially, the blocks were
dipped in piloo seed oil and later wax was used for printing. However, today chemicals have
overtaken natural paints and dyes. Batik is the most popular in Bhujpur, Mandvi and Mundra.

Ajrakh – A Form of Block Printing

Ajrakh is also a form of block printing. It comes from the word ‘azrakh’ which means indigo. This block
printing form traditionally used the blue colour from the indigo plant. Also, the designs of the Ajrakh
can be traced to the Islamic architecture designs and Jaali works. One of the traditional wears worn,
especially during Eid, the Ajrakh involves a sixteen step method. There is washing, dyeing followed by
printing and drying. The drying process also is slightly prolonged because the colours used are fast.
Ajrakh is most famous in Ajrakhpur and Dhamadka in Kutch.

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