Sanganer & Bagru

Rajasthan is not just known for its royal forts, palaces, grand pavilions and gardens but its specialties also include the adeptness and skills of the locals, who have perfected the art and crafts that are famous all over India, but are ignored by tourists and visitors. Nowhere in this world you will be able to find such stunning pieces of ethnic jewelery, silverware, mirrorwork, unique henna tattoos, bandhni and block printed textiles, etc.

Though such art is common to most of the cities of Rajasthan, but there are some cities that are renowned specially for one of these skills. Like Sanganer and Bangru are the places that have created their own unique brand of textile prints, that are demanded all over the country. These places preserve and celebrate their inherited skills and traditions since the 16th century, when they became popular in Europe owing to exports made by the East India Company.

Currently, the textile printing industry of Sanganer and Bangru is flourishing with more than 154 block printing production units in place. These block prints are made available on bed spreads, pillow covers, decoration items, table cloth and other useful textiles. Colorful prints in varying designs and patterns, ranging from geometrical to floral ones, are crafted with utmost precision.

The artists paint adorn the textiles with these designs using wooden/metallic blocks and vegetable colors/ chemical dyes. With time, several new block printing techniques have been innovated and old ones have been evolved. These techniques include double sided printing of textile called 'doo-rookhi' and another technique called 'calico printing' in which the designs are firs made and then splashed with vibrant colors.

The basic difference between the Sanganeri and the Bagru printing techniques is that in Bagru style, lesser range of colors are used. Some of the Bagru printing styles include 'Dabu prints' and the ' syahi Begar prints'. Travelers can also observe this form of textile printing been created live. It is not as simple as it may seem because it requires careful selection of patterns, colors and utmost precision.

There are a number of shops in Sanganer, including Sakshi in Lakshmi Colony, that sell stunning block printed textile materials and pottery products. You can also catch the fun out here by picking up a block yourself.

In Sanganer, you can also have a look at the paper production process. Salim's Paper, at Gramodyog Road, is the largest paper producer in the country and it has excellent facilities for visitors to observe and learn the whole procedure. The unique thing about this factory is that the paper made here is actually from scrap pieces of fabric rather than from the pulp of trees. Also available here are decorated paper with floral work and glitters to pack gifts and accessorise things. These are also exported in large quantities to other countries. Another option to view handmade paper production is Al Paper House.

Sanganer is located 16 km from Jaipur and Bagru is a further 20 km from here. Apart from the block printing units and paper production units, you can also have a look at a group of ancient Jain temples and Tripolas.