Guwahati: The traditional art of Block Printing is being practiced in Rajasthan of India for more than 500 years. Block Printing was started in the 12th century and the rich art form of printing on fabrics was being enjoyed by the Kings and Queens which made Block Printing art recognizable as royal patronage from that time. Block printing on fabrics was introduced by the old Chippa Community located in the Bagru district of Rajasthan.
The block printing art on fabric has been passed down to generations introducing various printing forms like Bagru printing, Sanganeri printing, Kalamkari block printing, Ajrakh printing, and Dabu printing. Sanganer and Bagru in Rajasthan are the major hubs of Block printing in India while block printing in Jaipur has a huge unorganized textile market including Block Print Quilts, Kurtis, Shirts, Bedsheets, Scarfs, etc.
As the saying goes that “There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of Women”, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad is imparting training to >800 weavers and artisans in Hajo area of Kamrup in Assam under a project “Handmade in India” supported by HSBC Bank. Since 2018, trainings are provided under this project to empower the weaving community with soft skills, credit & market linkage, productivity improvement, new design development etc. with special emphasis on women empowerment.
Under this project, possibilities have been explored and it is found that a market can be created for handloom woven Mekhela Chadar with block prints in Assam. Further, furnishing material, dress material, stoles, sarees can also be made on local handloom material. This will not only be an option for product diversification but also will provide a wider market to the weavers increasing their income. Till date, Block Printing training has been provided to 50 weavers in batches of 10 wherein they are trained in block printing on Mekhela Chadar, running fabrics, furnishing material etc from 27th July, 2022 to 1st August, 2022 at Anuva Training Center of Bamunimaidam in Guwahati.