THE RICH TRADITION OF BLOCK PRINTING IN INDIA

Even in a world obsessed with machine prints, hand-printed articles have maintained their safe and sound place. While it is believed that block-printing designs on fabric began in China about 5000 years ago, the Indian subcontinent has always been on the top in terms of creating and exporting block-printed fabrics. Their expertise with naturally occurring plant dyes and metallic salts helped them in developing and printing beautiful motifs in stunning shades. In the present day, unarguably, India is the largest exporter of block-printed textiles. The states that come to our mind while talking about Block Prints are Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. 

Rajasthan is famous for Bagru and Sanganeri block prints. Gujarat is known worldwide for Ajhrakh and Madhya Pradesh for Bagh Prints.

The traditional process of hand block printing on textiles with rich colors has been practiced in Rajasthan for around 500 years. Block printing was introduced to the Jaipur region by the Chipa community, located in the village of Bagru, an area famous for vegetable dyes and mud resist block prints.

Sanganer, near Jaipur, is famous for its fine hand block printing in subdued colors. The royal family patronized hand block printing. Sanganer has become an export hub for hand-block print export. The Sanganeri Print is visible from small flower motifs like stylized sunflowers, narcissuses, roses, and other flowers of luxuriant foliage like daturas, rudrakshas, and arkas.

The principal items printed here include sarees, dupattas, salwar-kameez, bed covers, curtains, scarves, printed yardages (running cloth material), etc. Both local and imported cloth materials are used.