Ajrakh Block Print - Cotton Bandana - Compass

We are featuring a rare offering of Dr. Ismail Khatri’s recent collection of traditional Ajrakh textiles. For this collection, he has returned to the beginning of Ajrakh and used only the original patterns and dyes used by his forbearers nine generations back. Many are double sided — an extraordinary feat in itself.

This small Ajrakh masterpiece is block printed with natural dyes, resists & mordants. These bandanas are a beautiful piece of cloth that have many different uses.  Wear it around your neck or tied in your hair, they can also be used to bundle, cover or create a resting place for your things.

Ajrakh is a traditional style of block printing which uses hand-carved wooden blocks to print and resist natural dyes on cotton. These Ajrakhs are made by the Khatri family residing in the Kachchh desert of Gujarat, India - a family that have been block printing for over nine generations.

The process of making an Ajrakh is a long one, involving between thirteen and twenty distinct steps. The many processes of scouring, washing, printing, dyeing, and final washing can take up to three weeks to complete. Much of the beauty and depth of Ajrakh cloth comes from the intricacy of the imprint that is left by the artisan’s hand. Slight variations are to be celebrated.

Fiber: 100% Cotton

Process: Single sided block print with natural dyes.

Size: approx. 22" square

Care Instructions: Your fabric can be gently machine or hand washed with cool water. To protect the natural dyes you absolutely must use a pH neutral liquid detergent. Wash with similar colours.  Immediately hang to dry or tumble dry on medium heat. 

Recommended detergents: Ecos, Eucalan, Tru Earth or a mild liquid detergent no higher than pH 7

- Tru Earth must dissolve completely in water before adding garments to wash

Note: Colours may appear different on different monitors and in different lighting conditions

Meet the artisans.