Ajrakh is a combination of resist dyeing and hand block printing technique which is mainly done on fabrics. Ajrakh or ‘aaj-rakh’ meaning ‘keep it today’; is a name given to this craft as it’s a 16-day process and each step requires one whole day. It originated in the Sindh region (now in Pakistan) around 4500 years ago, today it’s practiced majorly by the Khatri community of Kutch, Gujarat & Barmer, Rajasthan.

Full of symmetry & complex geometry, the motifs and the designs of Ajrakh illustrate the architectural forms of Islamic architecture.

Centuries-old & yet a charmer!

Find out how AJRAKH stands out to be a timeless craft. Let’s trace the tale.

Materials:

– 1 cotton stole

– 1 modal silk (sample)

– Instruction and process booklet

– Dyes (Indigo, Red, Black & Discharge Paste)

– Wooden Blocks (These will be for workshop use only, you will not be allowed to take it with you after the workshop.)

What Will You learn:

1. Introduction to Ajrakh

2. Resist Printing

– A demonstration by the artisan.

– Color Introduction.

– Each participant will be given an individual table for printing.

– Printing the discharge paste on the sample and letting it dry.

– Printing of discharge on the final sample.

– As the discharge paste dries, we’ll give you more insight into making the discharge paste and mordanting of fabric before printing. (Demonstration)

3. Coloring

– Printing of the black color

– Printing of the red color

4. Dyeing & washing

– Indigo Dyeing

– Washing

– Color Development (Boiling)

Points to be noted:

– The fabric will be pre-mordanted. We will demonstrate the process of mordanting.

– The blocks will be assorted and every participant might not get the same block to use.

– The blocks are only to be used during the workshop and it’s not a part of what you take back home.

– The colors will be pre-made, since the process of making the colors involve 2-3 days.

– We will demonstrate the process of making each color.

– The color trays will be placed in common for all the participants.

– The dyeing of Indigo for all the pieces will happen together.

– The washing of all the pieces will happen together.

– Since it’s a natural process and the beauty of block printed fabric is misprinted, every piece will be different and unique in its own way.

– You take back what you make and a lot of lovely memories.