Traditional Art & Craft - Bagru Block Printing | Woodblock Printing | Hand Block Printing

 Bagru Village 

Bagru, a remote village in Rajasthan Just a short drive from Jaipur on the highway to Ajmer approx 30 Km / 40 minute driving time, is still considered a village — and it is, in the ancient way its society is structured according to inherited roles and customs. But like many such Indian villages, it has been swallowed by encroaching urbanization. Straddling the highway to Jaipur, the town having population around 25000 with male 55% and female 50%. The village town is not popular for any palace or fort but for keeping alive the three-centuries-old tradition of printing with the splendid efforts of artisans. It is unique for its indigenous style of printing using natural colors with wooden blocks known as ‘Bagru printing’.

Bagru History

There is no authentic record for reference on backdating Bagru’s block printing practices and there prevail different opinions behind its starting. However, it was introduced 400 years back Bagru has been home to the Chhipa — a clan whose name comes either from a Gujarati word meaning “to print” or from combining two Nepal Bhasa words: ‘chhi’ (“to dye”) and ‘pa’ (“to leave something to bask in sun”). The latter theory feels especially true as you walk through the vast communal drying fields that connect the Chhipa Mohalla —the village printers’ quarters. It is perhaps the river name that lends it name to Sanganeri printing art form. The Chippas community settled along the riverside, like any other nomadic settlement. The bank of the river provided them with clay which is an important ingredient in getting the base color of the famed ‘Bagru’ prints. The artisans smear the cloth with Fuller’s earth got from the riverside and then dip it in turmeric water to get the beige colored background. The air here is redolent with the fragrance of drying fabric. The ground and the concrete walls are covered in resplendent colors in red, black, oranges, blues, and pinks.

Bagru Block Printing | Wood Block Printing | Hand Block Printing

Bagru Block Printing also known as Hand Block Printing & Wood Block Printing using natural colors is done mostly on fabrics such as sarees stall, quilts, bed covers, though pillow covers, dinning table cover, turbans and other smaller items of cloth are also taken up. Themes are generally floral prints, geometrical shapes etc. Motifs of circular designs, flowers, fruits, birds create allure on fabrics like crepe, Georgette, chiffon, silk, cotton. Exotic Bagru prints are quite popular on south hand loom cotton saris woven with zari borders. Bagru is a town that is famous for their expertise in block printing and more specifically, their printing with vegetable and natural dyes.

There are nearly 300 families that have devoted themselves to hand printing craft in Bagru and it is a joy to witness this entire process. Although not very popular inclusion as a tourist destination in Rajasthan, those who have an inkling towards fine crafts must pay a visit to witness this exotic art kept alive by a dedicated band of craftsmen. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state and have a unique category in tourism and corporate world for tourism and Business market and Resources. The Jaipur, mainly known around the world for its Traditional Art & Craft, Handicraft, History, Tradition and Historical themes.

Explore the beautiful streets of Bagru adorned by the talented craftsmen as a part of our Tracing the Essentials itinerary to know more about the finer details of the art. Find out what is so special about Bagru block printing designs that it has gained popularity across the world from the local, who are well-versed with the art and history of the place. Rajasthan is the place of Rajasthani’s, who known for their hard work and roaming with nature. Whole the Rajasthan is the Art & Craft Palace and full with Art, Craft & Historical rhythm. Bagru prints have already marked their name & fame in the fashion industry. For those who are crazy about textile printing or wooden or block printing, this craft center is one which is worth exploring.

How to Reach Bagru Village

By Air: The nearest International airport to Bagru is the Sanganeer Airport, Jaipur. which is approx 45 Km away from Bagru village. 

By Rail: Bagru is well connected by rail as Jaipur railway station is approximately 35 kilometres away. Another alternative is a small railway station namely Durgapura which is approximately the same distance from Bagru.

By Road: Bagru is a small village located 30 kilometres south west of Jaipur on the Jaipur-Ajmer road, NH-8. There are frequent buses plying between Bagru and Jaipur that can be availed or you can hire a taxi from Jaipur to Bagru.