Explore the brilliance of Ajrakh Printing

Nowadays, modern day humans want everything back to go in synchronization with nature after realizing the damage one has done to the environment and world in the name of industrialization. But when one rolls back to many centuries ago, one can analyze deeply that almost all professions, art and jobs existed and performed in accord with nature. One such artwork is the Ajrak.

History of Ajrak Printing

The word “Ajrak” came from the Arabic word “Azrak” which means blue. Blue happens to be the base and primary color. Commonly, block printing is done on clothes with crimson red or indigo blue as the background. Geometrical shapes are used mostly in contrasting white color to highlight the design pattern. Natural dyes are used for printing. Its history dates back to the Indus valley civilization. It is not just a fabric, but it more of an identity for Sindhi people and their traditions. Normally, cotton is the fabric used. It is used by men as turbans, while women use it as shawl, dupatta, latest trending scarves. It is put on during festive and on important occasions especially by the Sindhi community people.

Process of Ajrak printing

Even though, many centuries have passed, the process of making Ajrak has remained the same. Measuring around 3 meters in length, both sides of the Ajrak is printed using resist printing method. Lime, indigo, harda, camel dung and alizarin are used as mordents along with natural dyes during the washing and printing process. Colors are not put on directly on cloth like other general methods. Resist paste is applied on the cloth followed by dyeing. In this resist printing method, dye is absorbed only in the required areas, leaving other areas untouched without any colors, where any colors can be added later on, if needed.

At least 2 weeks’ time period is needed to come out with a flawless beautiful Ajrak printed cloth. The more the time the artist takes in the production, the merrier the outcome is.

Wooden blocks carved by hands are used to give the design on the fabric with repetitions of it covering the full fabric, giving space for borders, which are later printed. Single and double borders are employed vertically and/or horizontally to differentiate.

Water is an important component used in Ajrak printing as it is used to wash the clothes in different stages. It will have an impact on the shades and colors of the fabric in every wash making it a miss or hit. So it has to be handled carefully.

Even though, latest technology of easy quick printing of clothes with chemical dyes is gaining momentum putting these kind of traditional arts and craftsmanship in the back step, they still thrive and slowing getting awareness among the masses. Being environment-friendly and use of natural dyes is the main reason for it. Purchasing Arjak over other modern clothes can give one a satisfaction of contributing well to the environment and keeping one traditional art alive and going.