Ajrakh Art

Abdullah Sumar Khatri - Ajrakh Artisan

State Awardee Abdullah Sumar Khatri is dedicated and passionate Authentic Ajrakh Artisan from Dhamadka, Gujarat, dedicated to preserving this ancient craft of Hand Block Printing. He always use Natural dyes, however increased prices of Natural Herbs and Minerals and demand for synthetic fabrics at cheaper prices impacts demand for his work,but he would rather keep his legacy Alive. With Years of Experience, Abdullah Bhai has Mastered the Unique Art of Handblock Printing most intricate motiffs & Layered Prints that define Ajrakh hand block printing and makes it such Unique Artform. His commitment to the Art and the Community motivates him towards teaching younger generations the skills required to continue this Vibrant cultural tradition.

Whatever be it, the Art of Ajrakh has to Go On. Each of his creations tells a story, reflecting the heritage and history of the region. However he constantly worries about the depletion of ground water, which is vital for printing and washing.He understands the value of water for the craft, and along other  few artisans has built a small water-harvesting plant in the village in collaboration with the government; thereby setting an example for others to follow.

The massive 2001 earthquake in Gujarat caused immense damage not only to life and property, but also to the environment. The iron content of the river Saran had increased, rendering it unfit for Ajrakh printing. Only a few craftsmen decided to stay behind in Dhamadka while the rest moved to Ajrakhpur, Abdullah bhai chose to stay back and continue to produce his all natural dyed Bipuri Ajrakh (two sided Printing) , which is a delight to the eye and very few block printers still posses the generation based skill , it is too beautiful and aesthetic to let perish, he believes.

Master Artisan with inherited Block Printing Expertise.

Dr.Aditi Gopalakrishnan - Craft Connoisseur.

"

DHAMADKA ,GUJARAT

"

AJRAKH FUN FACT CHECK :

Ajrakh Artisans from “Khatri Community” were known to taste the red dye to judge its quality—much like a chef testing a dish—gauging the Alum content by instinct. In the absence of measuring tools, generations of practice honed their senses to achieve perfect proportions. Their refined judgment, guided by experience and intuition, became the true instrument of precision in this ancient block printing Craft.

Ajrakh was always printed on both side of the Fabric and traditionally worn by both; the members of the Royal Court and the Pastoral Maldhari & Rabari Communities. Always handcrafted in vibrant hues so that the cattle herders could identify with each other even at a distance in the unforgiving desert landscape.

"Ajrakh for Me is a Fond memory of my father and Bhuj where I was born & raised, a remembrance of our tradition and staying at its roots " .

Daastan-e-Ajarakh

Ajrakh is a refined block printing technique that layers intricate patterns to achieve striking Visual Effects. The harmonious interplay of natural dyes and hand-carved wooden blocks brings to life motifs inspired by nature, such as starry nights and the changing seasons. Originating in Sindh (now Pakistan), this craft later flourished in the Kutch region of India, and remains one of the oldest and most enduring printing methods today.

The true value of Ajrakh lies in its deep-rooted origins, the meticulous process of its creation, and its vibrant palette of Natural Colors, including INDIGO and MADDER. Each Ajrakh piece embodies the Artistry, Cultural Heritage, and Craftsmanship of its makers, making it a cherished and timeless art form both in India and across the World.

Azrak AJRAKH A-jharat

A Complete Guide To Ajrakh And The Process Of Ajrakh Making

Preparation and Initial Treatments

Saaj : The fabric is washed in a solution of camel dung, soda ash, and castor oil, which removes starch and other finishes. This is repeated multiple times until the fabric foams when rubbed, followed by a final wash in plain water.

Resist Printing and Dyeing

Dyeing & Layering

Indigo Dyeing : The fabric is then dipped into an indigo dye bath, often followed by sun-drying.

Final Stages

Final Washing: After all printing and dyeing stages are complete, the fabric is washed in a river or by hand to remove any remaining excess dye and paste.

→

→

→

→

Kasano : The fabric is then washed and mordanted in a solution of myrobalan (a natural dye and fixative) and dried.

Khariyanu: A resist paste, often made of lime and gum arabic, is applied with a carved wooden block to outline the white areas of the design..

Kat : A second resist paste, made from ferrous water (created from jaggery and iron scraps) and tamarind powder, is printed to create black

Repeat Resist Printing & Dyeing : The process of printing resist and dyeing is repeated several times. After each dye bath, the fabric is washed to remove the resist paste from the previously printed sections, which can then be printed with a different color.

Dyeing & Washing : The fabric is dyed in different colored baths (like madder for red) and then boiled. After boiling, it is washed again to set the color.

Drying : The final fabric is dried in the sun, sometimes folded while damp to create a final press.

”"Best of Ajrakh Prints online! I had a great experience shopping with rangamaati. The website was easy to navigate, and the checkout process was smooth. My order arrived on time and was well-packaged. Customer support was responsive when I had a small query. Highly recommend this service!"
”                                                                           - Sona Roy , Mumbai, India.

”rangamaati's effort to revive the handblock printing with natural dyes is worth appreciation . I keep coming back for their Ajrakh Sarees, time to time. Impressed with the efficiency and professionalism with which shippment is handled everytime. The entire process was smooth and hassle-free.”

- Neelima Shihadri, Houston , USA

”The Ajrakh hand block printed Mulberry Silk Saree I received is now like a prized possession, the natural dyes,intricate patterns and above all the detailing ...its a limited edition signature work..thank You rangamaati & thanks to the Artisan”

- Maitree Dutta Roy , Kolkata , India.

”I have been using Products from rangamaati regularly. The quality of fabric and the craftmanship is remarkably good. The support Team is also very prompt to address any issue, if faced, post purchase.I am happy with the product and service.”

- Saswati Chakraborty, Kolkata , India