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Hand block printing, a handicraft that has secured a seat in the forefront of the
fashion today. This craft has seen a major turn over the last two decades and has
moved away from its traditional rural centers to the big fashion houses. The Bagru
and Sanganer are two important centers of block printing. The two printing styles are
quite similar and prints cannot be easily distinguished. But each style has its own
typical characteristics.
Identical to Sanganer, Bagru is also famed for textile prints but
printers in Bagru use vegetable colors and use different motifs. Where, the Sanganer
prints are always on a white background, Bagru prints are essentially in red
and black. Also, the Bagru prints are include less range of colors which are usually deep
and dark shades.
The two prints go well with each other. The zigzag motifs of Bagru
along with floral motifs of Sanganer, are in demand in the country and abroad. These prints are
demanded not only for the motif but also for the vibrant colors used. The colors used
are usually natural. Yellow is derived from turmeric and buttermilk, green from
banana leaves, orange from saffron and jasmine, black from iron rust, and blue from indigo
plants. The Bagru prints excels in circular designs done in dark vegetable colors. Bed
spreads, table linen and other furnishings are mainly demanded in Bagru
prints.
The basic concept of block printing remains the same for both the
Sanganer and Bagru prints. The wooden blocks made of teak wood are
used for printing. The design to be printed is carved on lower side
of these blocks, which are dipped in the required color dye. The
beautiful designs, easy designing process and use of natural colors
have made Bagru prints very important in Rajasthan's Block printing.
Also, Bagru prints are very famous among the traditional look of the
wear and ethnic taste of the furnishings.
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