Block carving has been part of India’s textile traditions for centuries, with the craft passed down through generations of artisans. It begins with a carefully selected piece of wood, which is seasoned and shaped before the design is drawn onto its surface. The artisan then hand-carves the motif, cutting away the negative spaces with small carving tools. Once finished, the block is ready to be dipped in dye and pressed onto fabric, creating the repeated patterns that form a hand-block print.

Rajasthan has a long history of hand block printing, with Bagru and Sanganer being two of its best-known printing centres. A carved wooden block is dipped in dye and pressed onto the fabric by hand, one impression at a time. Each colour and part of the design requires a different block, carefully aligned to create the final pattern. Bagru is known for its earthy, natural-dyed prints, while Sanganer is known for its finer floral and intricate motifs.

Bandhani is a centuries-old tie-and-dye craft, deeply rooted in the traditions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The name comes from bandhan, meaning to tie. Small sections of fabric are pinched and tightly tied by hand before being dyed. Once the knots are opened, tiny patterns and dots appear across the fabric. In Rajasthan, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Bikaner and Ajmer are known for Bandhani, with the craft often carrying cultural significance through its colours and patterns.