There is a famous saying claiming the old as gold. This is a true saying in every sense of the term. The saying is especially true for ancient arts and designs. India has a rich tradition of culture, and there are many old designs that are relevant even today. One such design is Ajrakh printing. This printing style of most popular in the Sindhi community and has now become hugely popular as designs on various dressing materials. They look elegant and chic at the same time and will bring a vibrant vibe to your personality.
Ajrakh refers to a block printing method that is ancient and had originated in the current provinces of Sindh that is situated in Pakistan and the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This type of printing mainly thrived in India during the 16th century when there was the migration of the Khatris from the province of Sindh from the district of Kutch. The art of textile was recognized by the Kutch Kind, and he also provided encouragement to the migrated Khatris to inhibit the empty lands of Kutch.
The Ajrakh print salwar suit celebrates nature in its design. The aesthetics present in the intricate design of Ajrakh printing stands for the unification of its motifs and colors. The traditional colors that are found in this type of printing are deep and thus represent the deepness of nature itself. Earth is symbolized by crimson red, and twilight is referred to by indigo blue. The colors white and black are used to provide a view towards the outline motifs and also define the design’s symmetry. Eco-friendly dyes are used to make Ajrakh prints, and now the use of traditional and natural dyes is gradually coming back. The color indigo is often derived from the plant of indigo. The craftsmen of the earlier times used the indigo plated that grew by the side of the river Indus. The color red is obtained from the roots of madder plants that contain alizarin. Black is derived from the iron shavings, molasses, and millet flour. Seeds of ground tamarind are also added to these materials to make the dye thicker. The present-day Ajrakh prints consist of colors that are very vibrant and positive, like yellow, orange, and rust.
The steps that are followed to create Ajrakh print on a linen saree online are quite lengthy and time-consuming. Some of the basic steps are mentioned here:
- The first step towards making the print is preparing the blocks. This task is very time consuming and tedious. It requires patience and attention in equal terms.
- The blocks are generally made in a rectangular shape, and teak wood serves as the primary material of making these blocks.
- In the next step, the blocks are conditioned, and this happens to be an interesting step.
There has been a huge rise in the demand of Ajrakh prints in both our country and abroad. The designs are traditional and have maintained their consistency for a long time without fail. Previously the same print was made on both sides of the cloth to ensure that it can be worn in both ways. However, gradually, that practice was abolished because it made the expenses higher and took more time and labor energy. The present trending Ajrakh designs include the prints of peacocks and elephants on the cloth material, and that has made the design more interesting and eye-catching. If you are planning to buy Ajrakh printed sarees or dresses, then make sure to choose a genuine shop.
