Bagru – the village where hand block printing still thrives

Just about 30 kilometers southwest of Jaipur lies the small village of Bagru. Although far less known than the famous "Pink City," Bagru is considered by many to be one of the most important centers for traditional hand block printing in India.

Here, families have worked with hand-printed textiles for generations. The craft is part of the village's identity, and many workshops are still run by families where techniques have been passed down for several hundred years.

Home of the Chhipa artisans

Bagru is especially known for the Chhipa community, which historically specialized in block printing. Their name comes from the Hindi word meaning "to print," and their expertise has been crucial for the development of hand block printing in Rajasthan.

The artisans continue to work with carved wooden blocks, natural and pigment-based dyes, and traditional methods that require great precision and patience.

The distinctiveness of Bagru prints

Bagru prints are known for their calm and earthy color palette.

Traditionally, colors such as:

• Indigo (deep blue)

• Madder (reddish hues from plant roots)

• Black

• Beige

• Ochre

• Brown

• Green shades from natural dyes

The patterns are often inspired by nature with flowers, leaves, tendrils, and simple geometric shapes, which together create a harmonious expression.

A slow, hand-crafted process

Production begins with washing and preparing the cotton fabric. Then, each color is printed separately with hand-carved wooden blocks.

After each print, the fabric must dry before the next color can be applied. Finally, the textile is washed and finished to give the colors depth and durability.

This means that a single piece of fabric can undergo many manual steps before it is finished.

Small variations make each textile unique

Because each print is done by hand, there will always be small differences in pattern and color. These variations are a natural part of the process and a hallmark of authentic craftsmanship.

Precisely for this reason, hand block prints have a character and warmth that machine-printed textiles cannot replicate.

Bagru today

Although modern production takes up more space in the textile industry, hand block printing continues to thrive in Bagru. Many workshops combine old techniques with contemporary designs and produce textiles for customers worldwide.

At MASALA, we value this craftsmanship and the cultural heritage behind every block-printed textile. When you choose a hand-printed product, you not only get a beautiful design – you become part of a tradition that has lived on for generations.

See our block prints here

Read about block printing here

Read about Jaipur and block printing here

Read about Bagru and block printing here

and about floral prints from Sanganer here