BATIK: A living tradition
INTRODUCTION During the summer vacations I choose to do my craft training at Shakeel Bhai’s workshop at Mundra, Kutch. Shakeel Bhai and his family are involved in practicing the craft called BATIK printing. It was a weeks training at his workshop called “Rainbow Printers”. Mohammad Bhai deals with the dyeing and wax removing process. Qasam Bhai used to do the printing himself long back but now he helps in other small works. Ahmed Bhai deals the management of the workshop. Shakeel Bhai does all the work. There are 5 printers under them.
Ahmed Bhai
Kadhi: tool to plow sand.
Sapata: tool to level sand.
Udbi: straight grain Aadi: cross grain
Gadh: blocks with small holes in it. Datlo: blocks which covers a motif.
Wax: In kutchi it is called dhar.
Reactive dyes and Napthol dyes are used.
Mohammad Bhai
Qasam Bhai
Packaging done by Ahmed Bhai and Qasam Bhai
Baairaj
Sing champo
kaachbo
Fulkiya
Laddo sev
Kutchi buto
Ghisodi
Dungri vello
Chaar litti