CRAFTS OF INDIA / BANDHANI / FEATURES

CRAFTS OF INDIA / BANDHANI / FEATURES

- Very elaborate motifs are made, in tie and dye work. These include flowers, creepers, bells and jalas.

- Knots are placed in clusters each with a different name, for example, a single dot is called Ekdali, three knots is called Trikunti and four knots is called Chaubundi. Such clusters are worked intricately into patterns such as Shikargah (mountain-like), Jaaldar (web-like), Beldaar (vine-like) etc.

- Rajasthan is well known for its Leheriya pattern or pattern of waves, which symbolizes water waves. Only two colors are used which alternate each other in a pattern of stripes arranged diagonally. Originally, the two colors used were the auspicious colors of yellow and red. Turbans, odhnis and saris with the leheriya pattern are liked and worn all around year but carry a special meaning on and around the time of the Teej festival and monsoon.

- The art of Bandhana is a highly skilled process. The technique involves dyeing a fabric which is tied tightly with a thread at several points, thus producing a variety of patterns like Chandrakala, Bavan Baug, Shikari etcetera; depending on the manner in which the cloth is tied.

- The main colours used in Bandhana are natural. As Bandhani is a tie and dye process, dyeing is done by hand and hence best colours and combinations are possible in Bandhanis.