Bagh Print is a traditional hand block print with natural colours, an Indian Handicraft practised in Bagh, Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh, India. Its name is derived from the village Bagh on the banks of the Bagh River. Bagh print fabric with replicated geometric and floral compositions with vegetable colours of red and black over a white background is a popular Textile printing product.

Weaving and hand block printing process with the geometric designs, imaginative use of red and black natural colours and taking advantage of the chemical properties of the river and effective use of colours results in Bagh Prints in a unique art form. The process involves pre-printing, printing and post printing.

Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to whole cloth, or cloth made using this technique originated from Indonesia. The artist uses wax to prevent dye from penetrating the cloth, leaving “blank” areas in the dyed fabric. The process, wax resist then dye, can be repeated over and over to create complex multicolored designs.

Indians are known to use resist method of printing designs on cotton fabrics, which can be traced back 2000 years. Initially, wax and even rice starch were used for printing on fabrics. Contemporary batik making in India is also done by the Deaf women of Delhi, these women are fluent in Indian Sign Language and also work in other vocational programs.

The Technique : Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or beeswax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting . A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used.

Kalamkari is an ancient style of hand painting done on cotton or silk fabric with a tamarind pen, using natural dyes. The word Kalamkari is derived from a Persian word where ‘kalam‘ means pen and ‘kari‘ refers to craftsmanship. The process of making Kalamkari involves 23 steps. From natural process of bleaching the fabric, softening it, sun drying, preparing natural dyes, hand painting, to the processes of air drying and washing, the entire procedure is a process which requires precision and an eye for detailing. Motifs drawn in Kalamkari spans from flowers, peacock, paisleys to divine characters of Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Centuries ago, folk singers and painters used to wander from one village to other, narrating stories of Hindu mythology to the village people. But with course of time, the process of telling tales transformed into canvas painting and that’s when Kalamkari art first saw the light of day. This colorful art dates back to more than 3000 B.C. According to the historians, fabric samples depicting Kalamkari art was found at the archeological sites of Mohenjo-daro.

Bagru printing is one of the traditional techniques of printing with natural colour followed by the chippas of a remote place of Rajasthan. Chhipa community people are involved in this printing tradition since 100 years ago.The process starts from preparing the cloth to finished printed fabrics through their indigenous methods. Motifs having some specialty are transferred onto light coloured background with wooden blocks following two styles direct and resist style. Although this technique is facing problems against the threat of globalization, this exotic art of creation is required to be encouraged in the present context of environmental consciousness.

Tilla is an ornamental work which is extensively used to embellish ethnic wear. Silver or imitation threads are delicately tied over the fabric to create exquisite designs. The process is complicated and requires a lot of patience and precision. Tilla is one of the most prevalent forms of embroidery that is most prevalent in Kashmir.

Khadi work roots back to the history of India, it has dominantly had a fair role in India’s vibrant heritage. Khadi prints are in great demand by the fashion lovers even today and have become the talk of the town. Khadi, also called as Khari or Tinsel Work, is meant to beautify and enhance the fabric’s look. Khadi print is usually used with light colors for the print to stand out on the dark fabric.

For tinsel printing, initially gold and silver dusts were used by the weavers. Today, they have been replaced by flakes of crushed mica and granular metallic powders. Khadi print is a technique majorly applied on fabrics to be used for royal weddings and similar grand occasions. Nowadays, Khadi work is popular on sarees, salwar kameez, lehengas, rajasthani dresses and home furnishing items.