Kutch Ajrakh

About Kutch Ajrakh

• The Ajrakh is a textile craft, and holds deep roots in the cultural tapestry of Gujarat, particularly in the regions of Sindh, Barmer, and Kutch, where its legacy spans millennia.
• The art of Ajrakh entails a meticulous process of hand-block printing on treated cotton cloth, culminating in intricate designs infused with rich symbolism and history.
  • Ajrak’s nomenclature originates from ‘Azrak’, meaning indigo, a well-known substance most often employed as a powerful dye to achieve a bluish effect.
  • Ajrakh prints have traditionally consisted of three colors:blue which signifies the sky, red which signifies the land and the fire, and white which signifies the stars.
• Textiles are treated with vegetable and mineral colours and the fabric goes through a washing cycle about eight times.
• This craft was introduced to this region over 400 years back by the Sind Muslims.
• Nomadic pastoralist and agricultural communities like the Rabaris, Maldharis, and Ahirs wear Ajrakh printed cloth as turbans, lungis, or stoles.

Q1: What is Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

GI Tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.

Source: Ajrakh from Kutch gets GI tag