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A definitive guide to the ancient techniques, natural materials, and artisan terminology used in authentic Rajasthani handblock printing.
Dabu Printing
[Daa-boo] • Technique
Dabu is an ancient, authentic mud-resist handblock printing technique native to Rajasthan, particularly Bagru. Artisans stamp a special mud paste (the 'dabu') onto the fabric using carved wooden blocks. When the fabric is dipped in natural dyes like indigo, the mud resists the dye, leaving beautiful, un-dyed patterns on the cloth.
Chhipa Community
[CHEE-pa] • Artisan Guild
The Chhipa are the generational community of block-printing artisans in Rajasthan. The word originates from the Hindi/Gujarati word meaning "to print" or "to stamp." For centuries, Chhipa families in Bagru have passed down the secrets of natural dyeing and wooden block carving from generation to generation.
Syahi-Begar
[Syaa-hee Bee-gar] • Color Pairing
Syahi-Begar is the traditional and most recognizable color combination of authentic Bagru prints. It involves stamping a deep, rich black (Syahi) made from fermented iron rust, alongside a beautiful deep red (Begar) extracted from madder roots, typically stamped on an off-white or cream cotton background.
Natural Indigo
[IN-di-go] • Natural Dye
A pure, rich blue dye extracted from the leaves of the Indigofera tinctoria plant. In authentic Bagru printing, fabrics are repeatedly dipped in deep, cold indigo vats to achieve vibrant, lasting blue hues without the use of toxic synthetic chemicals.
Sukhai
[Soo-KHA-ee] • Process
The traditional sun-drying process essential to Bagru block printing. After washing and dyeing, the textiles are laid out in the open sun. The intense Rajasthani sunlight bakes the natural dyes into the cotton fibers, ensuring colorfastness and vibrancy through a zero-carbon-footprint method.
A comprehensive data overview of the Chhipa artisan community, sustainable natural dyeing practices, and the global economic impact of authentic Rajasthani block prints, compiled by SA Fab.