Bandhani saree, the knot art technique of Rajasthan and Gujarat, is now a global fashion

Tie and dye - this cloth printing technique is now a global Insta drift. From fashion influencers to lifestyle bloggers, many are now seen doing this art for their interior glam- up. Some also experiment with this on their own garment.  But do you know where this technique came from? Here’s the story for you.

In Vedic days, stitching was considered sinful thatswhy a long 6-yard cloth was worn by the bronze beauties during that era. 

Over time, this concept has become extinct, but women’s love for ‘Srinagar’ has given birth to so many cloth printings,  designs, and even colouring techniques. 

Bandhani is one of the most roaring examples of such cloth-print.

Origin of Bandhani print 

Bandhani’s evaluation story has a long historical evidences but today we will talk about it in brief.

Dated back to the time of  Alexander, this technique was largely practised in different regions of India. Ancient text records during the time of Bana Bhatta, these sarees were worn by the royals in their marriage ceremony.  

Even in the book of ‘Harsagacharitra’, this fabric was mentioned as a style statement of the imperial class.

Despite having indigenous roots, this cloth printing reached its zenith during China’s T’ang dynasty. After a few centuries, these arts gain its popularity in several countries, like Japan and Africa.

During the Nara period of japan this fabric became a part of the most trendy fashion. Just like today’s Insta drift. 

Isn’t it surprising to know how we are observing the circle of time? 

618 AD - 906 AD’s popular cloth -print regain its lost glory again in the 21st century.  

I think that's the beauty of art, whose relevance and beauty never fade.

The process of making the Bandhani saree

‘Tie and dye’ - this long, ancient heritage is now carried by the Khatri community of Gujarat and Rajasthan. They carry ‘this art’ as the successor for generations. This five-thousand-year-old technique is still brightening the dusty lanes of Bhuj, Jamnagar, and  Jaipur

The dying process is also as interesting as a mystery. They tie a thin nylon thread around a small protrusion of the saree. It is tied down in such a way that it looks like a ‘bhindi’. Thousands of these knots are tied onto a single meter of cloth before the dying process starts.

Then the cloth is plunged into the light colour, remaining the tied-down portion as it is. It takes some time to dry the colour. After it dries, the knots are untied, making a perfect design all along the cloth. 

The patterns sound like poetry throughout the clothes. Ekdali, a single, solitary dot, Chaubasi, the cluster of four, Shikari, the hunting scenarios are known as the most attractive designs of the bandhani saree. 

Bandhani, the cloth printing art, is not merely a print, but also a part of the Ajanta’s fresco art, which depicts even the Buddha and his contemporaries fond of these bandhani dots. 

FAQs

1. Why is the bandhani saree very expensive? 

Because it takes a lot of laborious work to dye one saree thatswhy it is very expensive.

2. Which bandhani fabric is considered extraordinary?

Tussar, silk, and georgette are considered the most extraordinary bandhani fabrics.

3. Why are Bandhani sarees called ‘Bandhani’?

Bandhani prints are done upon the saree thatswhy they are called Bandhani saree. 

4. Which Bandhani garments are now most trendy?

Bandhani dupatta, Bandhani print kurti, and Bandhani suit are the most trendy garments of now.

5. Bandhani fabric is from which state?

If you search on Google with the phrase ‘Bandhani Jaipur’, then you will get the most attractive bandhani collebtions in the internet. So these sarees are basically from Rajasthan and Gujarat, which also has a Bandhani hub in Bhuj.