Bandhani work of Rajasthan

Rajasthani textiles come in an attractive range of hand - block prints, tie and dye and embroidered fabrics with mirror work. The art of Khari or over printing in gold is also practiced here. The Bandhni or tie & dye work comes from Sikar, Jodhpur, Udaipur etc.

Bandhani (Tie and Dye)

As the name suggests, this technique involves two stages: tying sections of a length of cloth (silk or cotton) and then dunking it into vats of color. The main colors used in Bandhani are yellow, green, red and black. It is essentially a household craft supervised by the head of the family. The fabric is skillfully knotted by the women, while the portfolio of dyeing rests with the men.

Very depictive thread indeed from Rajasthan. Although Bandhani is practiced in other forms in other of India as well such as Saurashtra, Kutch, Bihar,etc. it is one of the most prevalent art forms of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan has a number of tie and dye centers. The most famous are located at Jodhpur, Jaipur and Sikar. Sikar produces some of the finest bandhanis and they produce a range of patterns, which are made for different communities in Rajasthan, Haryana and even Punjab.

Another form of tie and dye, which is a specialty of Rajasthan is the lahriya and mothra. Here the opposite end of the length of the cloth are pulled and rolled together. They are tied and dyed in different colors producing diagonal multi-colored lines. When the same process is repeated by using the opposite ends, a check, mothra is created. This is done only in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Recently, the dyers of Ahmedabad have started to do simple lahriya. This technique was used generally for turbans made for Rajput in Rajasthan.

Gayatri and Meera,

Very interesting information that you ladies have posted.

Keep up the good work..

Thanks Sabitha.
Have you been to Rajasthan? What's your take on the Bandhani? Do you have any Bandhani sarees or dresses? Do let us know.

That was a good info :)

Meera,

I have never been to Rajasthan though I would love to go there someday because I have heard a lot about the fascinating forts and the great artistry and craft work there.Rajasthani exhibitions are renowned nation wide and I love the various bead, color and designer work that originates from there.

Bandhani is a technique of tie and dye. As the name suggests, the technique of Tie and Dye involves two stages: tying sections of a length of cloth (silk or cotton) and then dunking it into vats of colour. The rainbow-tinged turbans of the Rajputs and the odhnis of their women are shaded by this method of resist dyeing.

The term "bandhani" derives its name from the Hindi word Bandhan which means tying up. Bandhani work, after the processing is over, results into a variety of symbols including, dots, squares, waves and strips. The main colors used in Bandhani are natural. All colors used in Bandhani are mostly dark.

Tying of the border is a special process known as sevo bandhavo. The border is tied according to the desired pattern by passing the thread from one end to the other in loose stitch to bring the entire portion together by pulling the thread from one end. The border portion is then covered up. Some sarees have broad matching and contrasting borders. The same applies also to the pallus.

Thanks ladies for this wonderful information.
I have got a Bandhani saree in silk and I take pride in saying that is is my most favorite possession. I bought it from an Handicraft Mela and I think that was from the Gujarat Stall. I think Bandhani is also produced in the Kutch region of Gujarat other than Rajasthan. Am I right?

i am a great lover of bandhani dress materials, sarees and dupattas...they look just awesome.............

G8 jobs Girls!!!!!!!!

I had one bandhni salwar suit....but now it has become old.....

Anyways kudos 2 u 2...for making us knowledgeble re:bandhni.


Warm regards


Shashu