Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Ajrakh
Ajrakh meaning blue in Arabic as traditionally, blue is one of the principal colors in Ajrakh printing.
Dhamadka village in Gujarat is known for a block printed fabric called Ajrakh. The other villages known for Ajrakh Printing are Khavda, Bhuj and Ajrakhpura.
The printers belong to a Muslim community called Khatri.
Ajrakh
Meghval and Sindhi Muslim women wear Ajrakh printed Ghaghra and Odhna. Ajrakh printed fabrics are used as head-cloth or shoulder cloth by Maldhari Muslims.
Ajrakh
The borders are printed from left to right-always before the main body of fabric Ajrakh printing can be single Ekpuri or double sided Bepuri. When the reverse side is printed, the process is carried out while the material is still damp, as fabric tend to shrink when it dries. The Ajrakh is clearly distinguished from other block printing not only by deep red and blue but also in its structuring of motifs. Each motifs quarters is produced by an identical impression of the block, the four parts coming together to form the whole motif.
Fabric Processing
Washed with water and soda ash Steamed to soften Soaped and washed Dipped in mixture of oils, twisted and kept overnight Washed and dipped in mixture of oil and sakun seeds (tamarisk) Printing
Printing Process
First Print - on the areas which are to be kept white. Asul or Asil (Asule-jo-pur)
Gum Mimosa arabica + Lime + Alizarine
Blocks
Blocks
Printing Process
Alizarine Dyeing Indigo Dyeing Dipping in water and fresh camel dung for 12 hours. Washing with soda ash and caustic soda. Mina is done for second shade of blue using the blocks Phuli made as star shaped or circular simple motifs.
Motifs in Ajrakh
Almond (Badam) Phul Millstone (Chakki) Khajur - Date (Khorak) Peacock (Moru) Sweetmeat (Gileb) Jewel Box (Dabuli) Love Affair (Ishq-Pench) Government Seal (Chalo Sarkari) Thi-hashe-jo-ajrakh