Block Prints of Bagh
Once the fabric is dried after washing in the river, it is taken to a huge copper vessel to be boiled. This cauldron rests on a setup under which fire is lit. It contains about hundred grams of alizarin (a type of vegetable powder to make the colors fast) and two hundred litres of water. Dhavdikephool (a type of flower) are added to lend shine to the print and prevent froth from damaging the fabric. The load has to be constantly stirred with a stick to avoid stains because of the flame under the copper drum. A single load contains about thirty pieces that have to be boiled for about two hours. This process is called 'bhattikarna'. It is at this stage that the block prints take their actual color. One can see the pinks and purples turning into red and black. The heat from under does magic, quite literally. Later, if needed, the off-white base is dyed to bright colors like yellow, green, blue and orange by adding different vegetable dyes. Bleaching is done once again after boiling to remove stains and colors that have bled. One final wash in clean water is done and the printed fabric is laid out in the sun to dry, ready to be worn!
