SOURCING HUB Jaipur – the gateway to textiles from Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a treasure trove of textiles both traditional (handmade) and machine made. Of this Jaipur can be called a microcosm of that what can be found in Rajasthan.

Not only for textiles, it is a hub for other range of handicrafts. What works for Jaipur is its ability to apply traditional techniques to create contemporary textiles, transfer paper designs on to fabric at very affordable prices.

Jaipur as a fabric hub, is seen more as a place for processing – dyeing, printing or embroidery than for fabric manufacture. The basic fabric in white, off white or coloured is procured by the exporter / fabric manufacturer and then give to the processors on a job work basis. The designs, colours are all explained to him and he processes the fabric accordingly. Though the traditional printing was carried out using vegetable dyes, today it is only for the discerning few that vegetable dyes are used. The non availability of a varied colour palette in vegetable colours and the inability of the vegetable dyed fabric to withstand repeated machine wash are cited as the main reason. Also in the export market of exact colour matches and little variation, these need special skills to sell. What clinches the deal for Jaipur, is its ability to transfer the designer’s creativity on paper into reality – on to fabrics at very affordable prices. The ability to experiment with traditional techniques to create modern contemporary textiles in sync with the international market is a big plus.

Though industry sources do believe that the quality of work in certain places like

Jodhpur or Barmer is of higher quality vis a vis Jaipur. Along with traditional block printed textiles, screen printing also took root in the late 70s and early 80s. Industry sources point this trend to the increase in demand for Jaipuri fabrics in the international market and the inability of the local block printers to cater to the demand led to the random setting up of screen print work shops. The screen print shops offer volume fabrics at competitive prices for the export and domestic market to a large extent. Other areas are also upcoming what with the Government giving more thrust to textiles in the state.

Today there is a revival of traditional handloom and block prints. Plenty of designers both Indian and International descend on Jaipur to buy fabrics for their businesses. Natural dyes which were sporadic earlier are a way of life today.

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