• An Indian block print worker in Bagru, a village in the north-west Indian state of Rajasthan. All photos: Getty
    An Indian block print worker in Bagru, a village in the north-west Indian state of Rajasthan. All photos: Getty
  • Bagru is known for its traditional fabric dyeing and hand block printing work.
    Bagru is known for its traditional fabric dyeing and hand block printing work.
  • Workers prepare newly dyed fabric at a workshop in Bagru.
    Workers prepare newly dyed fabric at a workshop in Bagru.
  • A worker washes dyed fabric at his home in Bagru, where more than 250 families produce textiles.
    A worker washes dyed fabric at his home in Bagru, where more than 250 families produce textiles.
  • Dyed fabric is laid out to dry in the rural village.
    Dyed fabric is laid out to dry in the rural village.
  • Members of more than 250 families work together in the village to produce fabric and textiles.
    Members of more than 250 families work together in the village to produce fabric and textiles.
  • Sheets of dyed fabric dry in the sun.
    Sheets of dyed fabric dry in the sun.
  • Mud is printed on to fabric to preserve the colour during the dyeing process.
    Mud is printed on to fabric to preserve the colour during the dyeing process.
  • Block print workers produce textiles at workshops and in their homes.
    Block print workers produce textiles at workshops and in their homes.
  • An array of hand tools used by block print workers in Bagru.
    An array of hand tools used by block print workers in Bagru.
  • Prints made in Bagru are popular around the world.
    Prints made in Bagru are popular around the world.
  • Block print workers gather outside a house in the village.
    Block print workers gather outside a house in the village.
  • Mud and hand tools are key to the dyeing process.
    Mud and hand tools are key to the dyeing process.
  • Mud and sawdust is used to cover block printed fabric outlines before the fabric is dyed.
    Mud and sawdust is used to cover block printed fabric outlines before the fabric is dyed.
  • Bagru is at the heart of the block printing tradition in India.
    Bagru is at the heart of the block printing tradition in India.
  • A patterned screen is used to print mud on to fabric.
    A patterned screen is used to print mud on to fabric.
  • A block print worker collects dried fabric at a workshop in Bagru.
    A block print worker collects dried fabric at a workshop in Bagru.
  • Dyed fabric hangs above a patterned screen used in the printing tradition.
    Dyed fabric hangs above a patterned screen used in the printing tradition.

World

Block printing keeps rural village economies going in Rajasthan - in pictures

More than 250 families employed in textile production

The National

February 16, 2023

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Updated: February 16, 2023, 7:21 AM
India