Traditionally, Ajrak is the name of a block printed cloth with deep crimson red and indigo blue background, bearing symmetrical patterns with interspersed unprinted sparkling white motifs. An ancient craft, the history of the Ajrak can be traced back to the civilizations of the Indus Valley that existed around 2500 BC-1500 BC.
Introduction of the family:-
Soyab’s family is originally from Dhamadka where his grandfather Tar Mohamadbhai created Ajrakh for the Maldari. He worked for Rs.2 per day in 1960. He had 9 children, of which Soyab’s father Abdul Karim was the fifth.
After the earthquake of 2001, Soyab and his family shifted to Ajrakhpur. Soyab’s family works exclusively with natural dyes and makes Fabrics, Dupttas, Stoles, Sarees. They send their materials to all domestic cities within India.
a good artisan should be able to understand the market and should know how to make good colour/dyes and should understand materials. He should be able to work with concentration and passion. A good design should have a good layout and should utilize the principles and elements of design well. It should be finished well in all respects. His craft is very important to Soyab, and he is proud that his family uses natural dyes, which do not destroy or harm either man or the environment. He feels that as people do not know how to differentiate between chemical and natural dyed products, it is difficult for a natural dyer to survive.
The wood-blocks are hand carved in elaborate designs; each colour is printed with a different block to complete the motif. A high degree of skill is required for both the placement of motifs and the application of pressure. Altogether there can be as many as 16 blocks to create a 5 colour design. A set of blocks can be used to print on average 1500-2000met of fabric. Colours used for printing are derived from non toxic chemicals, minerals and vegetable origin. Chemical dyes have replaced vegetable pigments to withstand present day washing care and colourfast requirements. A block printed cloth reflects the touch of the human hand, the sensibility and skill of the craftsman; every piece unique.
Each piece of fabric is hand-dyed, block-printed and finished at Real Handicrafts Ajrakhpur, Kutch-Gujarat,India by grass-roots artisans using skills and techniques passed down through the generations. WE are leading manufacturer of Hand block printed Saree’s, Dupattas, Stoles, Bed Sheet, Unstitched Suit Set’s, Dress material in natural colours & Vegetable dyes, where entire villages derive their livelihood from the craft of hand block printing.
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