Ajrak is a name given to a unique form of block printed shawals and tiles found in Sind, Pakistan. These shawls display special designs and patterns made using wood block printing by stamps - a printing method in which prints are transferred from geometric shapes etched on the wooden blocks by pressing them hard on the fabric. Its lineage dates back to the period of the Indus Valley Civilization which flourished from 3300 - 1300 BC. A bust of a priest-king excavated at Mohenjo-Daro, a seat of Indus Valley Civilization, shows him draped over one shoulder in a piece of cloth that resembles an ajrak. These early human settlements along the Indus River had found a way of cultivating and using Gossypium arboreum commonly known as tree cotton to make clothes for themselves. These civilizations are thought to have mastered the art of making cotton fabrics. People still use the same methods of production that were used in the earlier days to create an ajrak. The garment has become an essential part of the Sindhi culture and apparel of Sindhis. According to Sindhi traditions, ajraks are often presented as gifts of hospitality to guests and presented to the person who is utterly respectable. They are also worn on festive occasions such as weddings and cultural events.
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 08:35:50 +0000
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