Ajrakh block printing

Introduction
Ajrakh is a traditional vegetable dyeing and resist block-
printing technique on cloth. It is believed that the term Ajrakh
may have been derived from the Arabic word for blue. It is
estimated to be around 4,500 years old. Sindh region (now in
Pakistan) is said to be the birthplace of Ajrakh. The Ajrakh
artisans in India are originally from Sindh and they migrated
to Kutch in Gujarat and Barmer in Rajasthan. Ajrakh is the
traditional attire of the Maldhari pastoral community of Bhuj.
The men wear it as a lungi (wrapped lower garment), as a
turban, or put it on their shoulders.
 Origin and History
It is believed that their craft dates back to the Indus valley civilization
and they claim that the statue of the bearded gentleman recovered
from Mohan-jo-daro has an Ajrakh shawl with its typical trifoliate
motif.
 The Ajrak craft was practiced by the khatri community, living in the
banks of river Sindh . These families migrated to Kutch from Sindh in
the 16th century, when the King of Kutch recognized the craft and
invited them to settle in his country, along with dyers, printers,
potters and embroiderers. The dyers were Khatri Brahmins. Two
generations later they converted to Islam and settled in Dhamadka for
its close proximity to a river in which they washed their fabric.

After 400 years,in 2001,after the massive earthquake in Kutch,the

block printers were forced to relocate to Ajrakhpur
 Types of Ajrakh
Depending on the process,Ajrakh fabrics are classified into:

1. Teli Ajrakh
2. Sabuni Ajrakh
3. Ek pasi Ajrakh
4. Kori Ajrakh
5. Do rangi
1. Teli Ajrakh
Teli Ajrakh is the most traditional form of ajrakh among all the
varieties. It is famous for its unique and magical properties.
2.Sabuni Ajrakh
In preparing Sabuni Ajrakh, the fabric is processed through initial
steaming. The saaj material used in this different from that of Teli
saaj.
3. Ek Pasi Ajrakh
In this, block printing is done only on one side.
4.Kori Ajrakh
This is the most poorest quality printing.
5.Do rang Ajrakh
In this method, proper steaming and washing are done followed by
pre mordanting. The dying of two colours are carried out one by one
in this method.