AJRAK
INTRODUCTION Sindh has been known for its crafts since times immemorial. The early settlers in Indus valley were expert craftsmen. Ajrak is a textile with dominant hues of rich crimson and deep indigo. In arabic, the word means blue. Ajrak is an all purpose cloth and is used by both men and women. It is very commonly spread as bed sheets and coverlet. The craft of block printing is nearly as old as spinning and weaving. Ajrak, today, in Sindh has become a symbol of Sindhi culture. It meets an emotional demand aimed at depicting live and attachment to soil of Sindh. The process of Ajrak is very complicated and long and it generally takes 20-30 days for the Ajrak print to get ready.
Colors used
Indigo dye
The basis of all Islamic art forms is ‘mizan’ (balance, order). The repeat pattern, which gives the design its character, is determined by a grid system. Some JAAL - central patterns used in ajrak are Chakki, Kharak, Challo, Riyal. Paland is the lateral ends which forms the border of ajrak. Pattern is made through four prints; ASL(outline), GAD(background), DATTA(filler), DATTA(filler). Colors mainly used are indigo blue, crimson red, black and white for the motifs. Fabrics used for printing are mainly cotton and silk. Usually, natural dyes are used for dyeing the cloth but now due to unavailability and cheap rates chemical dyes are also being used. Central jaal
Paland-lateral ends
Organic cotton fabric
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