Bandhani

Bandhani dates back to 12th century. When members of the Khatri community migrated from Sindh. They brought this wonderful art with them. Bandhani (tie and dye) became a staple local source of income with the export of bandhani to Europe via the English East India Company in the 18th century. Much like the local block printers, bandhani artisans used local, natural resources like madder, pomegranate, indigo, iron rust, turmeric etc. to dye their cloth in a brilliant range of hues. The technique of tightly winding a thread around a section of cloth, dyeing it, and then removing the thread. To reveal a circular resist motif has remained the same since bandhani was first practiced.

Also known as Bandhani, Bandhni, Bandhej, Bandani, Bandni

Bandhani has long been culturally important to Kachchhi communities. The most revered type of bandhani is the Gharcholu, which is the traditional wedding Sari of Gujarati Hindu and Jain brides. Some more name are Bandhani, Bandhni, Bandhej, Bandani, Bandni. Explore all bandhani products here.

The Chandrakhani is worn by Muslim brides. The khatri community is the main producer of Bandhani in Gujarat. They maintaining a mastery of the craft that has lasted for generations. Khatris in Kachchh are usually Hindu or Muslim. The demand for intricate designs featuring Bandhani is high, and the newest patterns can feature as many as one lakh ties (dots). Bandhani is used for daily attire and for auspicious occasions, like births, weddings, and goddess temple pilgrimage. Ambadaal and Bavanbhaat are some of the popular designs of Bandhani. Khatris are making new versions of Bandhani to fit the demands of modern and international clientele. They experiment with the size, shape, and placement of each dot on the cloth to offer a whole new range of products. Their patterns reflect an artistic sentiment to explore and play, creating new motifs with an innovative spirit.