Gujarat
Mashru, Ajrakh & Rabari Embroidery
Mashru is a handwoven fabric with a combination of silk on the upper side (visible surface) and cotton on the reverse side, making it comfortable to wear in different climates. Ajrakh is a unique form of traditional block-printing and resist dyeing textile art that involves using intricately carved wooden blocks to print complex geometric and floral patterns on fabric, typically using natural dyes in rich shades of indigo and madder. Rabari embroidery is a traditional style of intricate hand-stitched needlework that originated from the Rabari community in Gujarat, India. This type of embroidery is characterized by its vibrant colours, geometric patterns, and use of mirrors and metallic threads to add a decorative and shimmering effect.