Navah- The Craft Of Binding Weaves And Prints

The art of hand-painting in India is more than three thousand years old. A craft known to have originated in Mohenjo Daro found its path and journey through the sea of time. Be It in Indian mythology where art forms like Mithila paintings are related to Ramayana or in Indian history where each painting style, be it kalamkari or pichwai got its fame during different reigns rules and eras, each painting style and each motif involved in it has a deep-rooted historical significance. But one thing that has remained common in all these art forms is the technique of hand painting. 

If we keenly observe, each art form and the motifs used in them, are reflections of a period and culture. These motifs are inspired by the locally available flora and fauna, or patterns that are an inevitable part of their culture like Kolam in south Indian culture. The colour choices are mostly traditional. They are hues obtained from naturally available elements, such as mud, flower petals, etc.

The art of bringing print and weaving together is said to have begun in the time of the Indus valley civilization when the craft of weaving, dyeing and painting saw significant developments. 

Even though the theme and base techniques varied from one art form to another, a common chord between all was the idea to create dark outlines with colour filling inside. In a few art forms, the outlines are given with a paintbrush, a few with a special pen, for example, kalamkari, which translates to pen work or artistry. 

Imprinting is another ancient technique to obtain prints of different kinds on fabric. Traditionally, wooden pieces are carved into blocks, with different motifs and are used to print on fabrics using dyes. But a technique that connects us to nature, but is a new age innovation, is eco printing. A technique by which we can get the shape and colour pigments of flowers and leaves on fabric. Organic and sustainable by nature these earthy prints connect us back to our roots.

India's affiliation with prints will be a never-ending love story, with developments and time, our ancient printing techniques will get their due credit, and new techniques will be born, getting inspired by them.