A cultural gem concealed in the district of Udaipur, Rajasthan is the artistic cluster called ‘Akola’. Most popularly known for their version of ‘Dabu’ printing, Akola has imprinted itself on the handicraft map of India. 

To truly appreciate the art-form, let’s quickly understand the process. Dabu printing is a laborious printing technique that has been practiced in India for centuries on end. 

To start with, the fabric is first washed thoroughly to clear off surface impurities.

The next step is to prepare a mud-resist mixture that's made of gum, lime and white chaff. This mixture is then block-printed to the fabric and then subsequently dried. Post drying, the fabric is dipped in dye, which is followed by a wash to remove excess dye and paste.

The result of the entire process is fascinating. The patterns used are usually traditional, inspired by motifs that are picked from nature, replicated by making use of wooden blocks. Some of the popular methods of Dabu printing are Kahma, Kantedar, Lal Titri and Dholika.

Deeply respectful of this undeniably intricate art form, we consider it a matter of pride to be able to bring it to the fore. An exhibition of some of the finest works of Akola, our ‘Maiwa’ collection is back with new styles. Showcasing breezy silhouettes in an earthy colour palette, new Kurtas from this collection are now available.

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