Bagh Printing of Madhya Pradesh: the definition of aesthetics
Do you remember the 2004 tsunami? which tore a whole island into pieces within a few days.
That time, the civilised people who were dwelling in Port Blaire or the other main cities of Andaman perished in concrete boxes. But the tribals survived.
During such a destructive calamity, not a single tribal get killed. Very few were also rarely injured.
How do they remain safe throughout the whole facade?
The researcher discovered that before the calamity appeared, they observed some unusual movements among lizards.
They saw that all the lizards were climbing towards the hilltop from the plain. Thus, they understood beforehand that Tsunami is coming. And thatshow dear reader, they survived.
This is the beauty of tribal knowledge. No bookish wisdom, not even the practicality. All they know is how to decode nature’s sign.
Bagh printing is also such a tribal artwork, which still contains the pulse of Mother Earth.
How Bagh print reach India from Sindh Pradesh?
Long before it became the modern delight, it was the expression of the Bhil souls. Goat poop, water rinse, and iron - all primitive ingredients- are used to make it look like the most aesthetic artwork of all time.
The print is not merely the ink-artwork. It is the manuscript of migration and the stubborn survival tactics of the tribals.
But many Historians claimed that about four centuries ago, the painters of the Khatri community migrated to India from Larkhan pradesh of Sindh, Pakistan.
While migrating, they brought their Ajrakh printing tools and skills along with them as an ancestral pride.
In the rocky terrain of Madhya Pradesh, beside the Baghni river, they settled down. The reason behind this is, their art demanded water rinsing.
This is how Vidhya Valley became the hub of Bagh print.
How is Bagh printing done?
Other history enthusiasts claimed that the village where the gypsy people settled down is called Bagh village, as that place was formerly the residence of the tigers.
And the name ‘Bagh print’ is derived from that.
Another theory claimed that the Bagh Buddhist cave and the Bhagweswari temple situated nearby must be the reason why the print is called. “Bagh Print’
Chippa, the printers used fermented iron sulphate for the black colour and alum mixed with tamarind seed powder is for the red colour.
Before even the printing process starts, the fabrics are gone through the seasoning. They are soaked in a cocktail of castor oil, salt and goat droppings.
Don’t get shocked.
Because this is how the fabric got its absorbent nature.
After the seasoning is done, the natural geometry motifs like the honeycomb style motif, the mango style buta are drawn on the fabric.
These distinctive patterns were previously created mainly for the Brahmins, Bhils, and Jats, to ensure every man’s eye station at you when you wear it.
FAQs
1. Bagh print is from which state?
Bagh print Madhya Pradesh is now famous in the fashion industry.
2. Which Bagh print fabric is now very trendy?
Bagh print saree, Bagh print suit, Bagh print kurta, Bagh print bedsheet, Bagh print kurti are now famous and trendy nowadays.
3. How to identify Bagh print?
If it looks like a handblock print, and if it is painted in natural colour, then it is called a Bagh print.
4. Who is the father of Bagh print?
Abdul Kadar Khatri was an Indian Master craftsman who was considered the most eminent Baghprint artist. His father, Ismail Sulemanji Khatri, is the founder of Bagh Print, who saved the tradition from extinction.