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Dabu is a little different as the fabric is dyed
in stages to get the darker tones of a colour
or different colours. For Dabu printing the
steps are fabric cutting, scouring and washing,
printing with Dabu paste, drying of the fabric,
indigo dyeing, again printing and dyeing to get
the next darker shade, washing and scrubbing
the fabric to remove all the clay, plain water
wash and then the final finishing of the fabric.
Even with the winds of change blowing
across the craft world, we have kept to the
traditional technique of printing as well as its
related activities such as making natural dyes
with leaves, barks and other elements such as
iron and jaggery. We also make the clay for
the resist printing ourselves. We go to banks
of the
talab
in the town and bring clay before
the monsoon season and store enough to last
us a year. Our day begins early, sometimes
by 4 am and ends at midnight, and we work
throughout the year, taking few holidays. Apart
from printing garments we also print home
furnishings that are sold under the brand name
Adhunik Bagru Print. Our printed cloth and
apparel are retailed in different cities in India
and also exported.
Urbanising the Craft
Since the inception of Paramparik Karigar, our
family has been involved in the organisation’s
various activities that have helped the craft
to grow and develop in response to the
requirements of the urban market. In this
process, the master artisans in our family
as well as other family members have also
developed an understanding of the market
needs helping us broaden our portfolio.
Our day begins by 4 am and ends
at midnight. We work throughout
the year, taking few holidays.
