Rehnuma Collection: The Guiding Light
Stitch by stitch, snip by snip; one block imprint at a time- here we are, decades later. Time flies by when you love what you’re doing. As a brand that was crafted to support handicrafts, we’ve often found ourselves retracing our steps to the art of hand block-printing. Fairly straightforward in theory yet rich with immense detail in practice, the art has developed regional variations over the years. To name a few:
Akola
A form of mud-resist block-printing technique, this art-form gets its name from a cluster in Rajasthan- the place of its origin.
Bagru
Bagru printing is a traditional printing technique making use of natural dyes. It is a craft practiced by the ‘Chhipa’ community in a remote town of Rajasthan.
Bagru printing is usually done on a blue or indigo background. The patterns and motifs in traditional Bagru prints are predominantly geometric, with traces of floral forms to create striking patterns. Traditional Bagru motifs are large in size for an accentuated appeal.
Ajrak
In existence since antiquity, traces of Ajrak printing date as far back as the Indus valley civilization. Said to signify the Universe, Ajrak block-printing usually makes use of an earthy colour palette- red for the Earth, black for darkness, white for clouds and shades of blue for the Universe itself. Inspired by the beauty of nature, elements around us play an important role in the making of Ajrak designs. Artisans work in total harmony with their environment, where the Sun, river, animals, trees and mud are all part of its making.
Celebrating the distinctive elements of each of these adaptations, our Rehnuma collection is coming soon.
A synopsis of the journey so far, our upcoming collection is a display of expert craftsmanship. Showcasing an alliance of hand block-printing and embroidery techniques, ‘Rehnuma’ is an ode to India’s rich cultural heritage. An Urdu word meaning ‘The One that guides you’, the name is a befitting one- encapsulating elements of India’s celebrated art forms. Hand block-printed on soothing fabrics, style and comfort go hand in hand.