There are very few moments in life that you witness magic at work. I had one of those moments recently. On my recent visit to Jaipur in Rajasthan, India.
It made me realise that there is no absolute substitute, and never will be, for human creativity. When creativity is combined with an artisan’s skills developed diligently over years the result - when you see it in action - is nothing short of spectacular.
What am I talking about?
The ancient yet vibrantly alive art of blockprinting. This art has developed over millennia and it has provided a livelihood for millions.
I had seen many videos and read so much about this process but was somehow unprepared for seeing it first hand.
First there were the intricately hand carved blocks, some of them traced according to designs created by my step daughter Maya, 5000 miles away in the UK.
Then there were the colours, prepared in trays according to our requirements to match with the designs. Two shades of pinkish red for the two sizes of tomato, two hues of green for the winding vines. Four different hard wood blocks.
Then there was the ‘Master.’ His name, Gufran. With 20 plus years of experience his eye was exemplary. For the colours and for the printing.
A white sheet of Indian cotton, grown in the West and spun in the South of this vast country, stretched for metres. We stood at one end and Gufran got to work.
The correct colour tray, the correct block, deftly dipped to ensure full coverage. Then a swift movement of block to sheet landing with a firm ‘tuck tuck tuck’ from the hardened side of his hand on the handle of the block.
When he lifted the block the first impression was immediate. When he then coloured, placed and lifted the second, third and fourth blocks the transformation was complete. Until he did it all over again ensuring the sides matched almost perfectly. And it is almost, that’s part of the magic.
That was repeated for another design, more simple and based around an artichoke motif. What struck me this time was the efficacy of the blue background, encapsulating the regular motifs, with a wavy edge that had to be carefully matched block by block.
Imagine that these designs, once approved, will be printed exactly the same way, by hand, with hand mixed colours carefully matched, onto metres and metres of cotton cloth.
This cloth will then be used to make tablecloths, napkins, quilts, cushion covers, tote bags, wash bags and even Aga covers for our MayaH customers back in the UK.
This further processing of the blockprinted fabric provides multiple more work, and therefore jobs, in cutting, sewing, stitching and shipping. Some of this work, particularly the delicate stitching required for quilts, is outsourced to artisans, often women, working from their homes.
A genuinely sustainable and labour-intensive supply chain that transforms cotton originally grown by small farmers in the fields of Western India, into beautiful items adorning English interiors. Something really special for Christmas, and all other times of the year!
Sam Tully, Maya H
