Arts and Crafts of India-The Art of Block Printing at Sanganer

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sanganer is situated about 8 kilometers south-east of Jaipur city. Prior to the 17th century, there is no mention of Sanganer as a centre of printing. At that time Sanganer was known as a centre of plain and dyed clothes. The end of the 17th century, Aurangazeb and the repeated invasions of the Marathas, many craftsmen (Printers) from the neighbouring state Gujarat came and settled in Rajasthan. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By the end of the 18th century this industry was fully developed in Sanganer. There are at present, about 125 hand block printing units in Sanganer. Sanganer was renowned for its small decorative and delicate floral patterns, called, ‘boota-booties’ which was printed on fine cotton and silk.The dyers and block makers came from Sindh and Punjab and settled here.The printers belong to chhipa community.  Almost every member of the ‘Chippa’ family is involved in the washing, dyeing and printing of clothes. While, the printers are predominantly Hindus, majority of dyers and block makers are Muslims.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">                   Water of the Saraswati River that used to flow graciously through Sanganer, was known for its special quality that used to bring out radiance from the natural dyed fabric. This was major source of inspiration for the printing community.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">               In olden days, the fabric was printed mainly for use of royal families and rich traders but now it is used as part of clothing for urban families and also exported. The principal items printed here include sarees, dupattas, salwar-kameez, bed cover, curtains, scarves, and printed yardages (running cloth material), etc. Both local and imported cloth material are used. At present,’ mulmul’ (cotton voile), ‘latha’ (sheeting fabrics) and cambric etc. are sourced from Jaipur.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">          On Sanganeri ‘chintz’ (printed cloth) usually, yellow, green blue (with different tones) are used as the background. These days one rarely comes across the variety of shades that were found in the old Sanganeri ‘chintz’, but still the ‘chhipas’ for sanganer have the incomparable know-how of matching the back ground on base colour with colours of the prints.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">          The main distinguishing feature between Sanganer and Bagru printing is that Sanganer print is usually done on a white ground, whereas Bagru prints are on an Indigo or a dyed background. Local water also has its effects. In Sanganer water, block comes out in its best dark shade, while at Bagru block comes with a reddish tinge. As water has always been abundant in Sanganer, the washing of cloth has formed the main basis of printing and dyeing there. In contrast at Bagru, where water in comparatively scarce, ‘Dhabu’ resist printing and indigo work is mostly done. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Difference in motifs</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Traditionally, motifs printed at Bagru are large with bold line, as compared to sanganer, where somber colours and fine lines, intricate detailing are practiced. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sanganeri motifs are naturalistically rendered, with motifs usually based on flowers i.e. iris, rose, poppy, marigold, sunflower, chrysanthemum etc. Bagru motifs are more geometric than the sanganeri motifs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The craft of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">block making </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">came to Rajasthan along with printers from Sind-Punjab. Most of the block makers in Rajasthan are Muslims. The basic carving tools are made by block makers themselves form iron rods, bicycle spokes etc. The ‘design” is first drawn on paper and stretched out on smooth surface of wood. The motif or design is then pierced through the needles so that the “impression” is transferred on the smooth surface of wood, later the unwanted areas are carved out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Iron nails and woolen-felt are also used to improve the quality of impression. Wooden block can be classified in three types viz ‘Rekh’- the outline block, “gudh”- the background block, and “Datta’- the filling block.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">‘Rekh</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’: The key outline block (from the Hindi word “ rekha” which means line) defines the form of pattern. Normally rekh is considered the “key block” which gets printed first in order to give ‘clue’ to other block to fit in. In some cases rekh is split into two blocks in order to print two colours. This kind of block is known as ‘chirai’ (splitting) block.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">‘Gudh</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’: The block which covers the background of patterns in called gudh. Gudh is sometimes treated as the key block and printed first.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">‘Datta</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’: All blocks other than over above mentioned two become ‘dattas’ or filling blocks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The handle: Once the block is carved, a handle, usually of cheaper wood, is nailed to the block to help the printer in registering the impression with the block comfortable. The handle is a very important part of block making, as it is this part which helps to trace the family who carved the block. One has only to look at the handle to identify the block maker as each family uses special effect in block handle. Some carve the handle out of the same piece of wood on which the design is carved and some shape the handle in a peculiar way.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The wood:  Seesam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, a kind of India teak is used for making blocks. Since it is tough wood the outline block which wears out most are made out of it. ‘</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Roahda’ and ‘Gurjan’</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> which are softer and lighter wood are used for making the rest of the blocks including mud resist blocks which generally need deep carving and light weight.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Traditional printing process can be categorized as follows:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Scouring</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> – ‘Hari Sarana’: Cleaning of the impure fabric for good penetration of colour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tannin treatment </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">– ‘ Peela Karna’- Harda’ : Treating the fabric with ‘harda’ powder to attract the mordant.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Printing (mordanting) ‘Chapai’</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Actual printing of the fabric with blocks</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ageing </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">– ‘ Sukhai’: Natural drying of the fabric for penetration of colour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Washing – ‘ Khulai’:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Washing Fabric to get rid of excess mordant</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dyeing (fixing of colour) – ‘ Ghan Rangai’: Dyeing of the fabric to react with the mordant and give new colours</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dyeing is a process in which the dye reacts with two mordants at two different locations on the same print giving two different shades of colours. As mentioned earlier ‘alizarin’ is used as the dye throughout Rajasthan. The colours obtained in conjunction with the two mordants are red (with alum) and block (with ferrous). Dyeing is carried out in large copper vessels (‘tambri’) which are heated by wood fire. Alizarin is filled in small cloth-bags (‘potali’) and dipped in the vessel. The quantity of alizarin dye is calculated by the experienced dyer. ‘Dhawadi phool’, a local flower is boiled along with alizarin to avoid patches and staining. Once the dyed fabric is ready (usually it takes half-an-hour), it is taken out of the copper vessel and left on the ground for drying.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sun bleaching – ‘Tapai’: Sun bleaching of the dyed fabric to make the background look white as prior to dyeing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Post mordanting – ‘ Fitkari Rangai’: With alum (fitkari) to make the yellow dye fast.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Washing – ‘ Dhulai’: To take out resist paste and excess or unattached dye.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The main resource of water is the ground water which is also receding at alarming rate. Most of the printer’s families have converted their homes into small printing units where printers from Sanganer and nearby villages come and print fabrics. The transition from the traditional dyes to the modern chemical dyes four to five decades back forced the traditional dyers /printers to adapt the new technology with hit and trial method. Most of the printer’s families were uneducated and the dye manufacturing companies too were more interested in selling the products. Though the chemical dyes were manufactured for the organized textile sector, the cottage industries adapted them without much technical know how.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some images from the blockprint factory at Sanganer and their emporium called "Sakshi" which is very reasonably priced for clothes,bedsheets,duppattas,trays,bags,carpets etc is also nearby the factory.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As it was midafternoon time,i could very beautifully capture the light falling at various corners of the room.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496815624890642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3-NKlQa8Hc_wjS5xpT2WlXvPvNOoeA2DDhzzqnAbYTq14Tpp6jEIB2ETx7vTr0VFD2jC7o-vdZCZmbo9B9t14GvRU3aHxXIThgNdqDmTNY0aTjjT0MVLn6QN5Y3CWDn-mwzsELDCNQo/s400/IMG_7170+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496767654545234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxJO555aeSU9yS-xnuFRgYkNH8q4FgNpHUYYNodDeO7k12ZtTTNfF2xD97kI6figMN1Gr3nZ5hSSd6grEZncyqHYvGovzh5-ZnqLlGEV94Fnqw2ksZ2P1wL4iwjhitgWMj0Ty9a8UuXQ/s400/IMG_7169+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495251017282562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUt7VWLxe0Lwjj0YIq0QebIF6PLbZkDqtjUsxtRzllJ8nQWdjjKsD4TKRW7OSBjVyawrGmes1KCg5iruIXAW1KSKT1ZCFksmBDeEEKzkJLS89Fft4IPUZMdHg6LQzMjAADDoaIlZVQUoU/s400/IMG_7125+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495956987041810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOX1M2WbOE_lCWsffhkUyo7EBNSFsq7ScYwBLle5L89K9FQyCoSqInxLICEXXhxzJVwm7ElcERd83L4KnzRR6GTNtVogp7grxad-3CPMnVHUTMq5dZhAAlJrihKkZ7ExeqYWA6xB3yhg/s400/IMG_7126+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495262453301346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjLYHNIMYp0C6N_wbUeZGyiF25D8l6OLUmvQOmhq-gHsuLWxgFWELIsCZQYz1tuvT_yxirGhNpKrJxXF0HcpQXkiCv0_Yuzqd7QbE9sL09yYIq-1QxdyXM1Ucw5isdm9r4fBOio4wnt4/s400/IMG_7121+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495248052232066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8Sr7Loit-Lyskh5bMF18sdt2utK19CRjAedEtj3ET_EY1vvpyXzGWF47MsJ2o2O9gq7-hg3k-8bDA9apDiF744VM7cdb_2PPYWDx6Vz-ahvaciJrZtcFVtCAGQlbOezTw6bu2CbNqVg/s400/IMG_7120+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495950636929218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lZorsBIMaO_h3RR6wLnllu7Q_uVhIcKXl_n9pqi951FvdYbVU9qhXCjHmtWm8BRfH99ZZOgx7uoWqievMiLsOBsMw5C1mHTfooF7KQR6i6ml16IrLfn5gID4OC2ersm8YadjjBzE73g/s400/IMG_7173+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495961663691666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeQDk69REaaRasQdaWDJmhRETPmceP8t5ON7THszEy9kL7kAkl9SGbEo6JZRxFHs1v0-ReztOqEa-IPHm7rGgZ1URai1QqNgxtO-P6IVWejyRVeYjP6L8WdMgBJwY52JwIkqNoU3FEEQ/s400/IMG_7107+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496801147136658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl1W7um6tN1CM1qjy9hZT1OI5RdUmRJamEJIOn0BVw23snKCoJ_hLIC6WdyN-gC8AtVSHssmJdTuN2ThWAqfj4Ja1KaXi5E_SYOdHj-o3lLQzeCB-hTiO-hOGHROgkc84Mx8UflJdJcU/s400/IMG_7234+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496788180888930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhQD4Z4EZgEXndIAqw9QQeGexHkIdvkuXDGV5FiD9Xpc2Ytw8AqMdsv0AnTussbuWrz5BGFAmPhGAKnXtrV3DlwOf9e4vTB8wJdUv9t-9chv78-WsqDodjl_vWDFfMKyvGtwYuFxz_SdG/s400/IMG_7229+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496775808804770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYILOjHBeFBLJvgpAWxPDuZKqolT-PS2PDYtuzyVsDJ8_Rs3-SDFKKfR46GJ4AOlNr0TLzB-fpWCcgyC3ZLs1uNGE85zJJhf0D7WB3icuF46vv-eInJ__u5H6Qw-fyjEAmtcUpNmAp2o/s400/IMG_7250+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471495970366982274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzKomJA4vqZr0XKToTRRYPoF-47K67p3pfCXkx8NyL_4XFfqLbrMhJ6rqFUHU3T5ptqnadoSc1DHGCq3IpptYJIKlnFT0OhzrnrAoi_K4UwcnB_r5OUBsXeoayFUdqYZzWkHQ8JSvtWU/s400/IMG_7237+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Images and Ideas conceived by Lakshmi Arvind</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pl do not copy the images</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Text courtesy:indianetzone.com,india-crafts.com,</span></div></div>

Arts and Crafts of India-The Art of Block Printing at Sanganer

Sanganer is situated about 8 kilometers south-east of Jaipur city. Prior to the 17th century, there is no mention of Sanganer as a centre of...

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Arts and Crafts of India-The Art of Blue Pottery

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMdkkUU5MwZbuK-f0WLRigNjk9IaWW1YR7eK5dgYPMb2GCw2Doi5K8AVVvfVdDKK8OHedyg2uwv3XwW6LVtEcg130xUBdHSC99EYNLqPAXF2KNAf1-s0Ora7nQvNqyb7MZPAtEdMFxKg/s1600/IMG_7033+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465145793597273554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMdkkUU5MwZbuK-f0WLRigNjk9IaWW1YR7eK5dgYPMb2GCw2Doi5K8AVVvfVdDKK8OHedyg2uwv3XwW6LVtEcg130xUBdHSC99EYNLqPAXF2KNAf1-s0Ora7nQvNqyb7MZPAtEdMFxKg/s400/IMG_7033+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 319px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A post long overdue.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Visit to Rajasthan becomes an intention and all the more interesting during winters.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last visit to Rajasthan ,was to Jaipur and visiting Sanganer was one among our itineries..</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We enjoyed being among the world of  blue pottery factories and pots and block prints... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some behind the scenes from the factory</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Origin </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blue pottery though Turko-Persian in origin, is widely recognized as a traditional craft of Jaipur. Legend has it that blue pottery came to Jaipur in the early 19th century when one of its rulers, Sawai Ram Singh II (1835 – 1880) set up a school of Art and encouraged artists and craftsmen from all over the country to come and settle here – a tradition started by his fore-fathers. Blue pottery has seen several ups and downs in its lie span of almost 200 years. There was a time when  it all but vanished from Jaipur but the efforts of several concerned people like Smt. Kamla Devi Chattopadhaya and Ramata Gaytri Devi helped to revive this dying art. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today, blue pottery is a growing industry, an industry that provides livelihood to thousands of people.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Process</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blue Pottery is based on ground  quartz. The dough is pressed into moulds and the unfired pieces are hand painted with oxide colours, dipped in clear glaze and fired once in wooden kilns. The process is very tedious and time consuming. Once made, the blue pottery items cannot be reworked. It is a craft where one is never sure if the finished product will have the exact shade that one may have wanted. The smallest mistake could lead to the piece either cracking up or turning black.This tedious process was one of the main reasons why very few people were willing to experiment and try out new products in blue pottery. Not only did it require time and patience but also money. Blue pottery survived as a decorative item – ideal for gifts and souvenirs. But its practical use was very limited.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Jaipur mix usually contains no clay at all. It is made up of 100 kg (220lbs) of ground quartz, 10-20 kg (22-44 lbs) of green glass, ½ kg (I lb) of fuller’s earth ½ kg (I lb)  of borax and 1 kg (2.2lbs) of gum. This is kneaded into a dough, flattened and pressed into an open mould. A vase, for example, will be made up in four parts; a wheel-turned neck</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">; two moulded hemispheres; and a wheel-turned base. The hemispheres are filled with ash or sawdust while they dry, the parts are joined and the surface smoothed over, and the vase is then taken for painting. The outlines are drawn in cobalt oxide using a squirrel-tail brush (little ground squirrels are frequently run</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> over, and the painters collect the tails, from which they make their own brushes). </span></div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465067046884960322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0B4hWuWuUTG1a7FPDYdWgSqHWMdR-asqYT3-yxlqP0Z0pgVtfLftGkup7gQ5qvPtrw-b89qARHFtqbrxFdJTlThXUoWO8eNnfkSyqBnsa_KuUh9SclhmVXK413ruRAzglztjs9QUI6M/s400/IMG_7005+copy.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465067035929354034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fMGB0qxRICbzFHvpjb9EwAlYSzChMcADA2c9UyI4DmJpBMcFhpfns0U7e5zS2wZwMZ5mcBVs8v5pnqo10_3_Y9OkdliMY02HNm2unCUJjbVKr5divy7bT4zrHJ-4w2gw95-67TTL6OA/s400/IMG_7011+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; 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display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465075914104522978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnQTqHoWb9n0b1WwLO0UwoJ8CcFUH1_s_wbp1GoBnS5NrQv5vn2pq3GkrpkmKJQci929TbrctgnOVUx-KQn2vM5VRSMx-mxzuD94FfhqshEQzANr0s9aWcXhSZLJiikZgjd8gg_-huk0/s400/IMG_7037+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo0dn77TuE0YwCS_996dc23IwRYHYHosPru9fp927jZl-ogRn3zyCkIzJ8izULR0c-pSDEC8-4-zkbl8PrHwYKJLS2r5Fo9DjLYN-3PuGxl20HfiZLDMf5oIfxAEdRbiCDEgzlbmT570/s1600/IMG_7069+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465075437045023426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo0dn77TuE0YwCS_996dc23IwRYHYHosPru9fp927jZl-ogRn3zyCkIzJ8izULR0c-pSDEC8-4-zkbl8PrHwYKJLS2r5Fo9DjLYN-3PuGxl20HfiZLDMf5oIfxAEdRbiCDEgzlbmT570/s400/IMG_7069+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; 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cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LB9aTIctZe2HEu-Xjnee1ybItwAz16quauI_qwzMA82invvzMUFTLjBcX_W6Fo3dhyphenhyphene0_DP5AOJYyih6wIN6HOyA6YRCAZN3LnejJWw0xjfS1KfqHn7bPd70fEYnr_k8gzYKUgbcDqk/s1600/IMG_7026+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465075418779933986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LB9aTIctZe2HEu-Xjnee1ybItwAz16quauI_qwzMA82invvzMUFTLjBcX_W6Fo3dhyphenhyphene0_DP5AOJYyih6wIN6HOyA6YRCAZN3LnejJWw0xjfS1KfqHn7bPd70fEYnr_k8gzYKUgbcDqk/s400/IMG_7026+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2frv4PB8_FYh-pAp32XoqCfdLRyEnYT8Unfs-GIlgF9kUFwdKecun5EloBT9YCV_cGBueazkbJEPnLRo-1o3Iw8vn0L9KUDQFv_pBWQP33NXHoSLp5AY9L8o16KOoEAvwG4ZyHv3DbK8/s1600/IMG_7038+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465075396775028738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2frv4PB8_FYh-pAp32XoqCfdLRyEnYT8Unfs-GIlgF9kUFwdKecun5EloBT9YCV_cGBueazkbJEPnLRo-1o3Iw8vn0L9KUDQFv_pBWQP33NXHoSLp5AY9L8o16KOoEAvwG4ZyHv3DbK8/s400/IMG_7038+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFho5iaJT5VdVwGctSUKRiZLE6kjHFlNuMJzVsnVB7FqtmtUHnTLP_hISTHxN-fZXdORnjwdb7CXDrlFBQnhiwMbHTqFTyqee-kxeHUvPgJikYRZcr6G9V1rm8zTvUNtxispRy_Glyhj8/s1600/IMG_7000+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465074340102425218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFho5iaJT5VdVwGctSUKRiZLE6kjHFlNuMJzVsnVB7FqtmtUHnTLP_hISTHxN-fZXdORnjwdb7CXDrlFBQnhiwMbHTqFTyqee-kxeHUvPgJikYRZcr6G9V1rm8zTvUNtxispRy_Glyhj8/s400/IMG_7000+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoHVmzIXBY-dWmrIgkyPmUJtTeYUTWgzTNsRX3NctuL3Opn7VsF5kxfw6RWXxShNjxGvehU0e179rPMNpMRByewcHh6bFUKWJpiyAZlCj5rICpKiiiRPt3gp9eCrcxj9GHIkEORnM3VI/s1600/IMG_6995+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465074321441761218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoHVmzIXBY-dWmrIgkyPmUJtTeYUTWgzTNsRX3NctuL3Opn7VsF5kxfw6RWXxShNjxGvehU0e179rPMNpMRByewcHh6bFUKWJpiyAZlCj5rICpKiiiRPt3gp9eCrcxj9GHIkEORnM3VI/s400/IMG_6995+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhOO2Qemw3XFKk504Tc0qjUQSEa1AeRAV-NBuywp62ioqhmvh-eqBvAQ6MXGAEBG9TVOMzIUoEZwCjsVCUF1doYJGs5kNH5BQVaGnoPjlxNq4Ghyphenhyphenr1WBBBQr-RAKCtHtWKnXFqycYbEM/s1600/IMG_7039+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465073606941390130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhOO2Qemw3XFKk504Tc0qjUQSEa1AeRAV-NBuywp62ioqhmvh-eqBvAQ6MXGAEBG9TVOMzIUoEZwCjsVCUF1doYJGs5kNH5BQVaGnoPjlxNq4Ghyphenhyphenr1WBBBQr-RAKCtHtWKnXFqycYbEM/s400/IMG_7039+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465073579859718530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh1EHySicxcgCAbXg4QfnBb2DkL3h8CnBEFchJrPPDnO0n3gvJ2nWqvlQEJUGm1MbSr1a9KqAbSnhm7-rJdeEOKG6mNzdnrBZYcESYfP5oOIL1qA1as-zjkRvbuKmXXpnpkCMbBloCJY/s400/IMG_7046+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">he design is filled in with other metal oxides, each of which is transformed into a bright colour by firing. The oxide of cobalt becomes a deep blue, that of chromium changes to green, cadmium produces a bright yellow and iron oxide becomes a red-brown. The piece is then dipped into a homemade glaze of glass, borax and lead oxide which is made adhesive by the addition of boiled flour. When enough dried pieces have built up they are fired at 800 - 850o C for six hours in a closed kiln fuelled with charcoal. All the melts, but 80 per cent of the quartz is left, and this maintains the form of the vessel. The kiln is left to cool for three days, avoiding any rapid temperature change which so easily cracks the china.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-3KgzstjOUh2mEe-8nUoQuotGUtT1ZoHUhwLyY3koBMbkBQu1tIC3jQEYnjK8ry3vV5d9NiUGPCYixFjElLwsYflWSO5tTnBjq1FZUfo4WE97YGfK8JiTDUlNYrlBAFRNeO3TxQPHDU/s1600/IMG_7050+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465068016628890178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-3KgzstjOUh2mEe-8nUoQuotGUtT1ZoHUhwLyY3koBMbkBQu1tIC3jQEYnjK8ry3vV5d9NiUGPCYixFjElLwsYflWSO5tTnBjq1FZUfo4WE97YGfK8JiTDUlNYrlBAFRNeO3TxQPHDU/s400/IMG_7050+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP13ZrlHu82y5_fy4rkDVCDM0F6pmiXDEsn5d7e1zXw4riuU221v-AJfFAAJVVq3UnH8xZPwfX_cteEH79o3TTx4LufjMFyZjX-IACCwtd4JoRgPmLD5Cb-7agSzg9Eu0d2aFdyI2y90/s1600/IMG_7067+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465068004465401570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP13ZrlHu82y5_fy4rkDVCDM0F6pmiXDEsn5d7e1zXw4riuU221v-AJfFAAJVVq3UnH8xZPwfX_cteEH79o3TTx4LufjMFyZjX-IACCwtd4JoRgPmLD5Cb-7agSzg9Eu0d2aFdyI2y90/s400/IMG_7067+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnhQu8M_EIWcK1vIijOFAtMDBHUvPmpdwnDYg3LWJlI2h4ikbgN6A2eAuuBfMivPPTj0d_nfviK8ns8CZLSD5pGZHFS6JYdq_5339NoomZ9avd15h_6cwUaHW1xLxOcihPfvDLbxH-uY/s1600/IMG_7049+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465067994343244818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnhQu8M_EIWcK1vIijOFAtMDBHUvPmpdwnDYg3LWJlI2h4ikbgN6A2eAuuBfMivPPTj0d_nfviK8ns8CZLSD5pGZHFS6JYdq_5339NoomZ9avd15h_6cwUaHW1xLxOcihPfvDLbxH-uY/s400/IMG_7049+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fRJJAaf18jIc_0Mg50h0Z-yFlDdQ6MH5ib9ttk73AcWRplbKExitD7LvUADs9BvkojUMbTxIXjQgxF32Xqmg94mUWNM63kYAUxcj7KprSDu_Yg4hfI_TNMSjXcM4WhBmWGN59YQXL7I/s1600/IMG_7064+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465067978988723330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fRJJAaf18jIc_0Mg50h0Z-yFlDdQ6MH5ib9ttk73AcWRplbKExitD7LvUADs9BvkojUMbTxIXjQgxF32Xqmg94mUWNM63kYAUxcj7KprSDu_Yg4hfI_TNMSjXcM4WhBmWGN59YQXL7I/s400/IMG_7064+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465067051672225794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUNDsInULSC5hQrZE9IOvnM-GSinbLiXd9BddnHBjcHFStIi5xP81UD0l_Qd2gF3uUkNriVRMJFLpPuM_-0eSzdxEtsRwB-cnalz-cLig9r4We4EQnqujjRlXXfjpdv-Njs9NO0PwChs/s400/IMG_7063+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465067025749428546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F1Twof7ryBwCrOfWavijiOEDxEmAVCAPoLop4DEcI56aFacaqyqnMZVhchYkTyG2T7RRy0AEZU3vVBOc5opWA81483yo2-iOmhrTF3l7g2VbtH-uVsqKSoTyxHLWah7Z6Lo55l2A9ns/s400/IMG_7013+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Images and Ideas conceived By Lakshmi Arvind</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Pl dont steal or copy images</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Arts and Crafts of India-The Art of Blue Pottery

A post long overdue. Visit to Rajasthan becomes an intention and all the more interesting during winters. Last visit to Rajasthan ,was to Ja...

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