For India, block prints hold a place of pride, the age-old craft of dyeing & coloring a fabric using wooden blocks has been perfected over generations.
Dabu is an ancient mud resist hand block printing technique from Rajasthan, where its origins can be traced to about 6A.D.
Dabu comes from the Hindi word ‘Dabana’ which means ‘to press’.
This labour-intensive technique of Hand Block Printing is sure to capture your attention. From wood carving a block to transferring an impression onto the textile surface, it is the human hand that creates tiny variations and imperfections that are so charming and unique to this process.
Traditional dabu prints are made with natural dyes like kashish (grey-brown) and indigo (blue), as well as yellows and reds derived from fruits like pomegranate. The dyes used are typically natural vegetable dyes and pastes. Thus, the unprotected parts of the fabric catch the color while the dabu covered bits remain plain. Dabu designs and motifs, tend to be nature inspired designs of plants, birds, flowers, fruits as well as artistic ethnic motifs.
This is a village handicraft, which is now practiced in many rural areas of Rajasthan. It has become a family business with the older generation passing on the secrets of the craft to the next. These artisans tend to produce the more traditional and classic varieties of prints which are obviously considered the most authentic.
Today, Dabu printing has become a source of inspiration for many artists and fashion lovers across the world, which is why many people have taken to producing fabrics with this ancient mud resist technique of printing.
We bring you a collection of dabu craft in sarees, stoles and dupattas, straight from the home of our award winning artisans from Rajasthan!
