Traditional Art of Block Printing on Textiles

Hand Block printing is a technique of producing prints on fabric or paper using wooden blocks. This method is known to have originated in China. From there it spread to all the other parts of the world. In most of the countries now printing is done only through computerised machines whereas in India this craft is still alive and passed on from generation of craftmen to other.

India is well known worldwide for its printed and dyed cotton since 12th century. Traditionally the craftmen use vegetable dyes like turmeric roots, pomegranate skin, lac and iron, madder root. If you have ever heard of organic prints, these are what it is. Each village has its own way of making designs. Bagru prints are bold geometric ones and Balmer prints are geometrical called Azrakh. It can be done in many forms direct printing, discharge or resist printing. Rajasthan and Gujarat are main centers but it is done in many other parts of India also like Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi etc.

Sabhyasachi Mukherjee (a Calcutta based designer) showed his collection in New York Fashion week 07 which is a great mix of Indian fabrics and rich textures made into Western silhouettes. He is considered one of the most talented designers in both East and West. Pooja Arya is popular in Indian fashion scene for use of block printed fabrics in his designs. The hand block printed fabrics have been very popular among those who walk the parliament everyday since Indira Gandhi's times. The block printed fabrics and the products can be seen in every high profile Delhiites clothing wardrobe or linen closet.

For foreign travellers it is a rare work of art. They see Indigo dyeing as a mysterious process because the fabric is dipped in Indigo bath, there is no color observed. When the fabric is exposed to air, the color appears. I remember wearing a traditional block printed outfit once when a textile technologist Mr Carlo Bel from Italy came to me only to appreciate the work of art. Besides Indian traditional outfits, you can find block printed kurta top, skirt, tank, jacket, vest, hat, bedspreads, quilts, tablecloths, table mats, wall hangings, stoles etc.

If you are not aware of the beauty of these textiles and talent of craftmen there are some must see places in India. Fab India, Dilli Haat, Dastkar, Suraj Kund Mela, International Trade Fair, Craft Museum, Central and State Cottage emporiums etc. Fab India is an organisation which has been selling block printed articles since 1960's and is a part of Harvard Business School's case study.

Thanks to all the craftmen, artists, designers and consumers who have helped in keeping this traditional craft alive. Some of the website's which are selling these products are-http://www.craftsinindia.com/, http://www.marketplaceindia.org/, http://www.fabindia.com/, http://www.indiaplaza.com/, http://www.kharidaari.com/ .