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 Printing
Ajrakh refers to an ancient block printing method. It originated in the current province of Sindh in Pakistan and in 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 Kutch King recognized the art of textile and encouraged the migrated Khatris to settle on 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. This type of printing uses traditional colors that are deep, representing the richness of nature itself. Earth is symbolized by crimson red, and twilight is referred to by indigo blue. Artists use white and black colors to highlight the outline of motifs and define the design’s symmetry.
Artisans use eco-friendly dyes to create Ajrakh prints, and the use of traditional natural dyes is gradually returning. 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. Artisans obtain the color red from the roots of madder plants, which contain alizarin. Artisans derive black from iron shavings, molasses, and millet flour People also add seeds of ground tamarind to these materials to thicken the dye. The present-day Ajrakh prints consist of colors that are very vibrant and positive, like yellow, orange, and rust.
Steps
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.
- Artisans generally make the blocks in a rectangular shape, using teak wood as the primary material.
- In the next step, artisans condition the blocks, which is an interesting process.
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, artisans printed the same design on both sides of the cloth to ensure that people could wear it in either direction. However, people gradually abolished that practice because it increased expenses and required more time and labor. 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.