Textile Printing/ Design

Worn originally by tribes of Gujarat, this fabric is printed in geometric patterns with bold black outlines, in deep earthy colours.

Batik work is a tie and dye technique of textile painting. The craft has been cultivated in Rajasthan for almost 2000 years now. The word batik itself means 'wax composition'. Batik is generally done on cotton and silk textiles besides cambric, poplins and voiles. Batik patterns are created in three steps. Firstly a rough design is sketched on the textile and the portion that requires dying in one color is chosen. The remaining of the textile is coated with molten wax. This process is known as waxing. The waxed areas do not absorb the dye.

Phad in Rajasthan is a special form of textile art. Phads are cloth paintings, generally thirty feet long and five feet wide. They are painted in vibrant hues to depict various episodes and historic scenes of the land. Phads are not merely paintings but are intertwined with the culture of the state. These painted scenes act as the visual narratives and are accompanied by high strung renderings of heroic and valorous kings and their deeds by the folk ballads. Phadakye are smaller Phads.

Hand Printing is an ancient craft in India. The major centers of this art form are confined in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow, Benaras, Pilakhua and Farrukhabad are some of the famous centers of this art. For years now, Farrukhabad has become synonymous to the art of Hand Printing.

The city is often considered a veritable showroom of traditional patterns in Hand Printing. These designs and patterns range from the classical Butis (Polka dots) to the famous ' Tree of Life '. Both of them have their distinct influence and harmony. The 'Butis' are often done on a subdued background therefore it looks attractive and sparkling when tinted in solid colors. Mango, 'paisley' as it is known in the West, is made in a vast variety of shapes, and used in bold, medium and even fine designs.

Made with thin threads and woven with thin stainless steel crochet needles of varying sizes, the exquisite hand crocheted lace works of Andhra Pradesh are very popular. The craft was introduced by a couple from Scotland and is carried on by thousands of women working part time at their homes in Narsapur and Palakol areas of West Godavari District and Razole Taluk of East Godavari District.