Hand Block printed Jaipuri Cotton Razai-02

Incredibly soft and light that’s a Jaipuri razai for you. And warm too. Craftsmen of old used to boast that wrapped overnight in several folds of Jaipuri razai, a raw egg would come close to setting!
Nobody quite knows when and how this mini marvel came into being. Why did Rajasthan alone become the home of this unique from of winter covering when quilts were common enough all over? Certain factors seem to have played a part: The inhospitable desert terrain, the bitter winter and the age-old Rajasthani penchant for being constantly on the move.
Time was when these quilts were made only from the gossamer light, world famous ‘Dhake ki malmal’. To this day, old, fine textured cotton and georgette saris are used. But the cloth now used in the Jaipuri razais, is a soft quality voile. The fabric is than hand printed at Sanganer and Bagru with small wooden blocks to give differnet colours and patterns. Razai is than stuffed with good quality desi cotton but the art that makes is world renowned is the trick in the carding. Craftsmen card away all the dross to get at the dross to get at the finest fibres. After that the Quilting is done which is mainly done by women to keep the home fires burning.

Block printing is practiced in many areas of Rajasthan; each area has its own color schemes and designs. Through the use of carved wooden blocks,called Bunta the printer is able to produce a wide range of fabrics in bright colors and attractive designs.
Wood carvers create beautiful designs in the wooden blocks as they have done for centuries. During block printing these carved wooden blocks are dipped into die and pressed on to the cloth which has been stretched across a low table. Firstly the outline block is prepared, which is followed by blocks for filling in different colours. Only three or four colours are used. Traditional motifs and designs are used in this technique. Generally floral patterns, human and animal figures are represented. Usually natural dyes are used to colour the fabric.
The block printing industry has flourished mainly in Sanganer and Bagru, small villages outside Jaipur bacause of the increased Flouride level in the water, the chemical essential for brightening colours. The Bagru and Sanganeri prints cannot be easily distinguished but if one looks carefully each has its own typical characteristics. The Sanganeri prints are always on a white background, whereas the Bagru prints are essentially on off white base in dark colours.