Elegant motifs

FABINDIA PRESENTS the unique hand block prints of Bagru in an exhibition cum sale of Bagru - printed saris and dupattas. Done in vegetable dyes drawn from flowers, tree bark, stones and minerals, the hand block or `chippa' tradition has embellished Indian textiles for centuries. The process itself is fascinating, involving hand printing with intricately carved wooden blocks which have distinctive Bagru moulds and motifs such as intertwining trellises, floral tendrils, `patashi', `phad', `hathi', `mayur' and so on.

And now, the sheer visual magic of Bagru prints spills over at Fabindia's special exhibition on silk, mulberry silk, Chanderi, cotton, mull and voille saris and duppattas. Hand block printed to an incredible machine-like finesse, each vegetable dyed sari is the creation of National Award winner, Ram Kishore Chippa Derawala of Bagru. For this master craftsman, the very process of creation - from handcrafting the block, making and mixing the dyes, resist dyeing to the final act of printing - is a labour of love and dedication, representative of the most exacting standards of his hereditary craft.

And how well this is reflected in each of Derawala's Bagru block printed sari on display at the Fabindia sale! Fields of jewel like motifs strewn on silk, cotton and tussar capture the sense of sophistication and harmony innate in traditional Bagru craft. Lovely, traditional designs in border and pallav, create a marvellous juxtapostioning of colour and motif. Scatterings of `amris' and `trellises', flowers and vine are offset by pristine, elegant borders. And the sheer elegance of fields of tiny roses on body and pallav rivets one with its sheer beauty. Derawala's saris are masterpieces of his craft, whether it is a simple printed cotton or an elegant evening silk. the play of soft vegetable colours is equally magical, with soft pinks, blues, reds and indigos infusing both motif and background with muted loveliness.

Delicacy of motif, intricate craftsmanship, magical colours - experience the exclusive charm of Bagru printed saris created by Ram Kishore Chippa Derawala at Fabindia, Ilford House, 3 Woods Roads, till July 15.

PUSHPA CHARI

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Section  : Features
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