Ajrakh: Mordant Resist, Batik and Tie Dye

Synopsis: Ajrakh is the last type of cloth to be made by the mordant-resist process, which was used for over 1000 years in India; its detailed patterns were introduced by the Moghuls and are reputed to be of Sufi origin. Produced by the men of Muslim communities, the cloth is used by them for shawls, lunghis and turbans. The film shows in detail the making of the hand-carved printing blocks and the block-printed mordant-and-resist dye process in Damadka, together with a section on block printing with wax and the tying of saris and dupattas. Filmed in Kutch, India.
Series: Surviving Traditions, Series
Language: English
Year of production: 2000
Subjects: Anthropology; Crafts
Keywords: India; textiles