| Craft documentation
The immortal
kaleidoscope
The art of Ajrakh
This craft is a beautiful by product of nature – Organic fabrics, and dyes, handcrafted wooden blocks, traditional designs inspired from the elements of nature using the principle of nature that is geometry, and each step of making is done by the people for the people. Hence is an immortal fabric reused and re purposed multiple times for hundreds of years. Despite the geometric conventional designs and enigmatic history of the technique, Ajrakh practitioners have mastered the science of natural dyes. Mahmed Siddhiq Khatri was so perfect and a master of science, just by tasting the dye he used to determine the pH level of the dye. Therefore, he never went wrong in making a particular colour/ dye again, which is the trickiest part in natural dyeing which only comes with experience. As a result, Ajrakh is a difficult craft to master since it requires an understanding of art, mathematics, science, weather forecasting as well as business. And we can’t miss the fact that the true journey of Ajrakh started with empathy.
Concept to creation
A Journey Through the Design Process
| Project Brief
The Craft documentation course was a four-week project in
August 2023, guided by Mr. Arnab Senapati.
My fascination with elaborate and detailed geometric patterns inspired me to write about the Kutchian art and craft known as "Ajrakh." I've always been fascinated with the craft's beauty and have desired to learn it extensively. I had the chance to do so with Craft Research and Documentation project.
The purpose of this project was to capture the entire process of creating the hand block printed textile known as "Ajrakh" from Dhamadka, Gujarat, with an emphasis on the raw ingredients to the end product, including natural dyeing and other tools used for printing.
| A sneak peek into the book
The immortal kaleidoscope
The art of Ajrakh