Khavda is one of the last villages to continue the printing method known as 'ajrakh'. Cloth is dyed with natural pigments in a lengthy process similar to batik, but instead of wax, a mixture of lime and gum is used to resist the dye in certain parts of the cloth when new colours are added.
The Ajrak resist-printing technique is found in Anjar and Dhamadka in Kutch. The painted Ajrak cloth has colours - blue, red, black and white, in several patterns --- resembling those found at Fostat. The printed red and block odhnis of Anjar carry motifs similar to those found on old pottery and stone carvings.
Topic
Arts & Crafts