Water became scarce and was not available from stored water tanks as well. Although it served a noble purpose for almost 400 years, the river dried up due to unfavourable weather conditions. Lamentably, the capacity of the river was used up. The artists benefited by living there, as they had access to the river close to the village of Dhamadka, which aided them in faster production due to the convenient and favourable facility of washing the handwoven fabric instantaneously. He recognised their artistry and wanted them to settle down in the arid land of Kutch, along with other artists such as hand dyer's, hand block printers, potters and hand embroiderers. In the 16th Century, these families were asked to migrate from Sindh towards Kutch in order of the King of Kutch. The final output is handwoven hand block printed cotton, soft and gentle on the skin, accompanied by the highly luxurious manifestation, which is both satisfying to feel and appealing to the eye.Īccording to the Khatri Community, their sustainable craft has been around since the primal medieval times, ever since they started practising it across the banks of the river Sindh, which is currently known as Indus, in Pakistan. To complete it, there are approximately 14 to 16 different complex stages involving dyeing and hand block printing, which usually is completed in 14 to 21 days. The meaning of Ajrak is ‘keep it for today’ which is an Urdu word.Īrtisans who practise the art of Ajrak printing have the immense skill, patience and precision.
In the language Urdu, it also means ‘keep it for today’, which the local printers practise. The name of this printing is derived from the word ‘Azrak’, which means blue in the Arabic and Persian language. It is distinguished with complex geometrical and floral patterns, expressed through bichrome colours of red and black usually. Ajrak textile prints have acted as an interpretive role in Sindhi nationalism, keeping the old tradition of block printing alive. Ajrak has been long established by the Khatri community of the Kutch desert in Gujarat. These local artisans weave the richness of our culture into our clothes.Ījrak is a form of ancient Indian printing that is traditionally hand block-printed using the resist-dye method, through eco-friendly natural dyes. At Crow, we believe in bracing our roots and using the traditional techniques and craftsmanship of our local artisans in textile making.