This bold and vibrant hand block Bagh printing has its origins in Bagh village in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and from where it also derives its name ‘Bagh prints’. This unique craft was started by the Chhippas of the Khatri community who migrated to Bagh around 400 years ago from Larkana is Sind which is famous for its Ajrak prints.
Bagh was chosen as a suitable place for this craft as the high copper content in the waters of Bagh River adds depth to the color.
Like most handicrafts, Bagh printing is a tedious and time-consuming process but the end results are worth the wait. The whole process of block printing involves '15 STEPS' and a single Bagh print composition may comprise of as many as 1300 different block impressions.
The process starts by treating the fabric by soaking it in raw sea salt, non-refined castor oil and goat dung; it is then dried three times in succession.
After the final drying the cloth is dipped in a solution of harada or baheda powder. After drying the cloth again for fifteen days, it is washed in flowing river water and finally boiled in water mixed with dhavdi flowers and roots of aal tree in a copper vessel to give colors a deep hue.
Bagh prints are characterized by geometrical patterns of floral motifs, usually using tones of black, red and blue. Many of the Bagh print motifs are imitations of the drawings made by the Pandavas during their stay in the caves in exile.
Making the printing blocks is a tricky task, wherein teak blocks are carved patiently with sharp carpentry tools. They are immersed in oil for days upon completion to prevent insect attacks.
Natural colors are extracted through various raw materials. Tamarind seed mixed with alum creates the characteristic red color of Bagh and black color is obtained by leaving a mixture of iron fillings and jaggery together for a fortnight. Whilst the artists try to experiment with new colors using peels of different fruit and vegetables, the traditional dyes still yield the best result, being tried and tested for years.
Owing to the process, the craftsmen of Bagh manage to produce only 1,000 to 1,500 meters of cloth in a month.
Imitation prints have flooded the market and can easily mass produce 20,000 meters of cloth a month. Hence, these imitation prints are threatening this craft, its value being lost in the dilution of quality process.
Authentic Bagh prints have a distinctive smell of alizarin (organic dye).
The Color Caravan has partnered with the Bagh block print artists of the Khatri community to expand the reach and extent of this craft form.
Check out our complete range of casual Bagh Block Print Shirts for men on our eStore.
Bagh was chosen as a suitable place for this craft as the high copper content in the waters of Bagh River adds depth to the color.
Like most handicrafts, Bagh printing is a tedious and time-consuming process but the end results are worth the wait. The whole process of block printing involves '15 STEPS' and a single Bagh print composition may comprise of as many as 1300 different block impressions.
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| Picture Credit: MP Tourism |
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| Picture Credit: MP Tourism |
The process starts by treating the fabric by soaking it in raw sea salt, non-refined castor oil and goat dung; it is then dried three times in succession.
.JPG) |
| Picture Credit: Hand Block Print India |
 |
| Picture Credit: Hand Block Print India |
 |
| Picture Credit: Hand Block Print India |
.JPG) |
| Picture Credit: Hand Block Print India |
Bagh prints are characterized by geometrical patterns of floral motifs, usually using tones of black, red and blue. Many of the Bagh print motifs are imitations of the drawings made by the Pandavas during their stay in the caves in exile.
Making the printing blocks is a tricky task, wherein teak blocks are carved patiently with sharp carpentry tools. They are immersed in oil for days upon completion to prevent insect attacks.
Natural colors are extracted through various raw materials. Tamarind seed mixed with alum creates the characteristic red color of Bagh and black color is obtained by leaving a mixture of iron fillings and jaggery together for a fortnight. Whilst the artists try to experiment with new colors using peels of different fruit and vegetables, the traditional dyes still yield the best result, being tried and tested for years.
 |
| Picture Credit: The Color Caravan |
 |
| Picture Credit: The Color Caravan |
 |
| Picture Credit: The Color Caravan |
 |
| Picture Credit: The Color Caravan |
Owing to the process, the craftsmen of Bagh manage to produce only 1,000 to 1,500 meters of cloth in a month.
Imitation prints have flooded the market and can easily mass produce 20,000 meters of cloth a month. Hence, these imitation prints are threatening this craft, its value being lost in the dilution of quality process.
Authentic Bagh prints have a distinctive smell of alizarin (organic dye).
The Color Caravan has partnered with the Bagh block print artists of the Khatri community to expand the reach and extent of this craft form.
 |
| Picture Credit: The Color Caravan |
Check out our complete range of casual Bagh Block Print Shirts for men on our eStore.
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