Bagru Print

Bagru's traditional motifs, on the other hand, have evolved over time. The entire population of ‘chhipas,' who were previously employed in the production of all local varieties of printed fabrics, primarily ‘fadats,indigo cloth,' ‘angochha' (small towel), ‘bichhauni' (bed spread), rajai (quilt), are now employed in the production of sophisticated ‘kaftans,' ‘wraparounds' (skirts), ‘midis,' and so on, are now employed in the production of sophisticated. Basic techniques and colours, on the other hand, have remained unchanged and unaffected over the centuries, making Bagru prints spectacularly different, distinctive, and highly specialised. In the past, the Bagru prints were primarily used by the locals, especially the women.

On coarse cotton cloth, indigenous dyeing and printing processes created patterns in rich colours such as indigo blue, alizarin, iron block, and bright yellow. Geometrical shapes, as well as floral, animal, and bird forms, were used to create patterns. All appeared to have been influenced by local sources. Synthetic dyes have increasingly replaced natural dyes, but their "resists," as well as their application, manufacturing, and sequences, have remained largely unchanged. To some degree, the patterns and motifs have been adapted to the changing market trend.

Black and yellow ochre or cream are used in the Syahi-Begar prints. The Dabu prints are made by using a resist to prevent the dye from bleeding through. Circular styles, as well as linear and floral patterns, differentiate Bagru prints. The colours in both the Sanganer and Bagru prints are carefully selected. Each one has its own meaning. For example, red is the colour of love, yellow is the colour of spring, indigo is the colour of Lord Krishna, and saffron is the colour of the yogi (seer). Teak wood is used to build the wooden blocks. Madder, pomegranate rind, indigo, and turmeric are examples of traditional vegetable dyes. Chemical dyes have increasingly replaced these in recent years. Before being printed, the fabric is often dyed.