Bandhani: The Oldest Tie-Dye Indian Fabric Technique

Bandhani, a traditional art form of India, showcase the enticing fabric beauty of tied and dyed fabrics. This design technique involves tying small fabric knots to dye them in vibrant colours. As a result, we get intricate and captivating fabric patterns. Moreover, this art of Bandhani has a rich history and is widely practised in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

      History of Bandhani

      This fabric pattern is a centuries-old craft and is derived from the word "Bandhan," which means tying up. The Bandhani art on the fabric dates back thousands of years and now has deep roots in Indian culture. Bandhani fabric model holds cultural and symbolic significance in the fabric industry. Historical texts and ancient paintings are the evidence that Bandhani was worn by royalty. Previously, this fabric pattern was used in various ceremonies, signifying prosperity and joy.

      Process of Creating Bandhani Pattern

      The process of Bandhani begins with skilled artisans who tie numerous small knots on the fabric using their fingers or with the help of specialized tools. These knots create defy areas, preventing the dye from stabbing certain fabric parts resulting in a fabulous pattern.        The vibrant colors of Bandhani have always been a symbol of Indian festivity and tradition.

      Bandhani's work was initiated by the Khatri Community of Gujarat and has been passed down through generations. The artisans employ a variety of traditional techniques and patterns, showcasing their expertise and creativity. The fabric is then dyed using natural colors, with yellow, blue, green, and black being prominent hues. Each shade carries its symbolism, such as red representing good fortune for brides and yellow signifying springtime and joy.

Furthermore, Bandhani fabrics are also cherished for their vibrant gloom, complicated patterns, as well as cultural significance. Such fabric designs are used to create a wide range of contemporary garments, including dupattas, sarees, lehengas, and more. The careful craftsmanship and eternal Bandhani appeal make them sought-after fabrics by fashion enthusiasts all over the world.

At Varijaipur, we celebrate the gorgeousness of Bandhani by offering a wide collection of superb Bandhani fabrics. Each piece of fabric in our store is carefully handcrafted by skilled workers, conserving the authenticity and beauty of this ancient art fabric form. Explore our vibrant range of Bandhani fabrics and duck into the rich Indian textile artistry heritage.

      The Skilled Craft of Making Bandhani

      The Bandhani creation is a thorough process and requires perfect skill and patience. Here’s a series of steps at how this beautiful fabric is made:

• Fabric Selection:This is the first and the crucial step of Bandhani creation which is to select the best clothes to provide a premium look. Normally, cotton, silk, and muslin are used for Bandhani creation. The choice of fabric is also important to ensure it can hold the dye well.
• Tying the Fabric:In the second step, small fabric portions are pinched and tied tightly with thread to make knots. Resulted patterns depend on how the fabric is tied beautifully. Traditional Bandhani designs include dots, stripes, waves, and squares.
• Dyeing the Fabric:Next, the tied fabric is dipped in the dye of the required color, and the tied sections resist the colour staining and result in intricate fabric patterns. This wonderful design process can be repeated with diverse colors to achieve multi-coloured designs.
• Untying the knots and Finishing:Once the fabric dyeing is complete, the fabric is untied and washed carefully to take out excess dye and expose the beautiful patterns.

      Types of Bandhani Fabrics

      Tightly bound and dipped in a dye bath Bandhani is a beautiful fabric design with lively colors to create patterns and a beautiful color mixture. Bandhani comes in numerous types to create amazing fabric patterns and a unique charm:

• Leheriya:Characterised by its striped patterns, wavy, mostly in vivid colours.
• Ekdali:This Bandhani type features single dot small patterns, arranged in clusters.
• Shikari:It is well-known for its motifs of birds and animals, reflecting the local wildlife.
• Mothra:This fantastic type is identified by its diamond-shaped patterns. It is mainly fashioned using two colours.
• Tikunthi:Small circles and squares of vibrant colors appear in groups of three or more to build a beautiful design.
• Chaubundi:In this Bandhani fabric pattern four small circles or squares are arranged in a symmetrical design all across the fabric
• Laddu Jalebi:It is an amazing pattern where knots are tied in a circular pattern to craft a swirling pattern.

      Uses of Bandhani Fabric in Diverse Applications

      Bandhani fabrics are versatile and can be used for various purposes:

• Bandhani Sarees:Sarees are the most popular uses of Bandhani. These fabrics are cherished for their stylishness and conventional appeal.
• Bandhani Dupattas:This is a perfect Bandhani fabric for adding a color splash to any outfit. Women of all ages like this wear vibrant color suits.
• Bandhani Turbans:In Rajasthan, Bandhani turbans are also very popular and worn by men during special occasions. They used to wear different color turbans matching their dresses or simple multi-color turban with white kurta pyjama.
• Bandhani Home Décor:Bandhani is not only restricted to attires but it has broadened its arms to home decor as well. You will find a plethora of home decor fabrics including cushion covers, curtains and tablecloths made from Bandhani fabric. Such fabrics are to add a traditional touch to your home.

      Bandhani pattern is generally used in sarees, and typically made from silk or cotton. Let's have a look at some Bandhani sarees:

• Bandhani Paithani - It is a fusion of Bandhani and Paithani styles. This saree design is usually made from silk and designed with knotty zari work.
• Ajrakh- This saree is created using the traditional block printing Gujarati technique to make deep blue, black and red color geometric patterns on the fabric. This technique results in a stunning fabric to attract consumers.
• Patola- It is s type of Gujarati saree that showcases the tie-dye pattern. This Bandhani saree design is a sign of social status and purity among women.  

      Interesting Facts About Bandhani Fabric

      As we know Bandhani is colorful and only one of its kind fabric pattern, now let us look at some of the unique facts about Bandhani that you might not know:

• Ancient Technique:This is not new in the market rather this antique method dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, around 4000 BC.
• Emblematic Colours:Each colour in the Bandhani fabric design has a special meaning. As red color symbolises love and marriage, whereas yellow represents spring, and the saffron color denotes sanctity.
• Labor-Intensive:It takes weeks to months to create a Bandhani saree, depending on the complexity of the design. But the fact is that all designs are fabulous and look adorable to the wearer.
• Geographical Indication:Bandhani fabric is well recognized with its Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This fact is a highlight of Bandhani's unique regional origin and excellence.

      Why Shop Bandhani Fabrics from Varijaipur?

      When it comes to buying Bandhani fabrics, Varijaipur stands out for many reasons:

• Genuineness:Fabric at our creation offers authentic Bandhani fabrics. Plus, all are crafted by experienced artisans, ensuring that you receive the indisputable Bandhani product.
• Excellence:The fabrics are of finer quality and created with premium materials and dyes.
• Diversity:Here at the store you will be offered a wide range of Bandhani fabrics to choose from.
• Legacy:With a bequest of preserving and promoting Indian fabric designs and patterns, Varijaipur's fabric is a name you can trust for your Bandhani requirements.

      Bandhani design is considered a symbol of affection, girlhood, and happiness. Moreover, it has been a promising and significant part of wedding ensembles. The Bandhani patterns of Rasleela to flamboyant depiction of flower gardens. Different themes were explored and created by skilled artists to reflect nature, social themes, rituals and many other inspirations.

      Simple Bandhni dots are also called laddu and identified as bindi or bundi and are created with variations in the form of circles.  Whereas squares are known as dabbing or box. Tear-shaped dots in Bandhani are also created by the stitch resist technique. These tiny dots are meticulously composed to form desired patterns exuding beauty, style and elegance on varied fabric ranges. In Gujarat, many fabrics consist of paraphernalia material of a bandhani artist including cotton, silk, wool, jute, cotton-silk, jute and many more.

      Explore the creative ingenuity of the artisans and the array of products with assorted new motifs and patterns at the Varijaipur store. You can grab several things ranging from the curtains of the living room to stoles for making a fashion statement!!