India is home to vibrance. The vibrance can be seen in our cultures, traditions, architecture and even in our food. The vibrant tapestry is also seen in our textiles, some that date as old as medieval times. One such textile that stands out even to this date is Ajrakh.

The story of Ajrakh is one of resilience and richness. Let’s explore this symbol of cultural heritage that has stood the test of time and is still in vogue not just in fashion but across various other industries.

The Origins

Ajrakh's journey can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, where evidence of its existence dates back over 4,000 years. Ajrakh printing was a tradition that started amongst the Khatri community in the Sindh region of Pakistan. But over time, they migrated to Kutch in Gujarat and Barmer in Rajasthan and later called it home.

There are multiple folklore around how the word Ajrakh originated and how it got attached to this wonder textile.

One story unfolds like this where the word 'Ajrakh' was derived from the Arabic word 'Azrak,' meaning blue, a colour that dominates this art form like no other. Another story goes that a Mughal King in those days liked his Ajrakh printed bread spread so much that whenever the servants came to change it, he asked them to leave it for another day, and thus the term "aaj rakh" meaning put it aside for today was coined.

Another very relatable story is likewise where the ajrakh printing process takes a great deal of time. The repeated printing demands time gaps in between for the print to penetrate itself deep into the cloth. Hence, the fabric must be left for a day after each layer of colour is printed. That ‘one day’ time period required for the fabric to get ready for the next step of the printing process was colloquially known as ‘Aaj ke din rakh’ in Hindi meaning keep it for today. This has evolved into what we know today as ajrakh.

All said and done, ajrakh is here to stay and we are not yet done exploring the colours, prints and designs associated with it.

Ajrakh Today

Ajrakh was initially reserved for the royal families and the aristocrats. Such was the opulence it carried with its intricate designs and bright colours. Fast forward to the present date, ajrakh has a fan base all over the world, let alone India. Today, we can find ajrakh printed sarees, ajrakh designerwear and ajrakh block prints being used in menswear. Ajrakh has found its way through to soft furnishing as well. One can find curtains, bedspreads and cushion covers with ajrakh designs these days. The influence of ajrakh can be seen even on dinnerware too. Table runners, dinner mats and even coffee mugs have Ajrakh-inspired designs on them.

What makes Ajrakh special?

The final cloth that is printed with Ajrakh colours and design is a testimony to the craftsmanship involved and their skill and patience. Typically, there are between 14-16 different stages of dyeing & printing. This usually takes 2-3 weeks on average to complete. Ajrakh printing, using natural dyes is one of the oldest techniques of resist printing in India and is one of the most complex and sophisticated methods of printing.

Each colour used in ajrakh printing has significance. The red colour denotes the earthy tones, blue (indigo) refers to the oceans, black for darkness and white for clouds. The resulting cloth is soft against the skin and jewel-like in appearance, pleasing to feel by hand and appealing to the eye.

But in the ocean of fabric, finding genuine dresses, sarees and cloth materials that have gone through the laborious process of ajrakh craftsmanship is quite impossible. Most often end up buying fabric made in a factory in bulk trying to pass off as ajrakh. They use synthetic dyes and are hence not genuine products by any lens. So how can we identify genuine Ajrakh products? Enter Vedhika.

Vedhika - a kaleidoscope of fashion

Vedhika is a unique brand; one that celebrates timeless traditions and modern trends in fashion using contemporary designs and fabrics. The brand respects the efforts with which each fabric is weaved and later transformed into sarees, brocades and other dress materials.

 

Vedhika has a brick-and-mortar store in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. We also have an online presence - www.vedhika.in where all our collections are available for you to view in detail and purchase. Though all our collections are unique and are signature lines, one collection truly stands out.

The Great Indus Drape & Musing Antiquity

In this collection, we mainly showcase Ajrakh. It is our way of showing our respect to the artisans who spend hours of labour block-printing each design onto the fabric by hand. To give our customers the best experience and genuine products, the sourcing team at Vedhika directly purchases the fabric from craftsmen in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Extensively delving into the vast reservoirs of Ajrakh design archives dating back to antiquity, we meticulously explore its evolutionary journey. This profound exploration forms the cornerstone of our creative process, allowing us to embark on a journey of revivalism in design language.

Upon unravelling the intricacies of these historical designs, we at Vedhika intricately infuse modern sensibilities, breathing new life into timeless patterns. This harmonious fusion is then entrusted to the skilled hands of artisans and the meticulous expertise of printers, who laboriously bring our vision to fruition on a grand scale, ensuring every detail is meticulously crafted into stunning kurtis, anarkalis, sarees, coord sets and salwar suits.

At this pivotal design stage, Vedhika's discerning eye ensures that each print, every design, is imbued with a bespoke touch, tailored to perfection. It is this unwavering commitment to customisation that distinguishes our prints and designs in Ajrakh, endowing them with a distinctive signature and unparalleled style. Our meticulously crafted designerwear spans sizes from XS to XXXL, ensuring that every individual can possess a bespoke creation from Vedhika, imbued with our devotion and painstaking craftsmanship.

So why wait any further? Come visit us at Trivandrum and own an art form that celebrates your Motherland. Wear an Ajrakh with pride and joy-filled in your heart. Alternatively, you can visit us at www.vedhika.in and be a proud owner of a 4000-year-old tradition that will truly make you a timeless star!