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Chaapa Work ~Patna

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:14:46 +0000

Chaapa, also known as Chhapa or Behari Chaapa, is a distinctive textile decoration tradition practised among Muslim communities in Bihar, particularly in the Magadh region. Unlike conventional block printing, where wooden blocks are used with dyes or pigments, Chaapa relies on a combination of adhesive and extremely thin metallic foil to create decorative motifs on fabric. Floral and geometric patterns are transferred onto the cloth, producing a bright metallic surface that has long been associated with ceremonial dress. The craft is instantly recognisable within Bihari Muslim culture and remains closely connected to important social and family occasions.

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Block Print~Akola

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 07:08:18 +0000

Dabu, derived from ‘Dabanna’, means ‘to press’ and is a mud-resist block-printing craft practiced in the alluring village of Akola in Rajasthan. Local women from the Jat, Gujjar and Gadariya tribes adorn the fabric thus printed. What sets this craft apart is the usage of the traditional exclusive Akola motifs in an array of bright red and Indigo, printed using carved wooden blocks.

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Block Print~Indore

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 18 May 2015 08:23:19 +0000

Block printing is an ancient technique of textile printing that is practiced even in modern times. Intricately carved wood blocks are used to stamp patterns onto the fabric. The method of dyeing used is ‘resist-dyeing’ where the true colors are revealed after reacting with air.

The post Block Print~Indore first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Bagh Print~Bagh

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:36:00 +0000

Bagh is the name of a block printing technique unique to a small village called Bagh in Madhya Pradesh. The craft as well as the village derive their names from the River ‘Baghini’ that flows through the village and serves as a spine for the craft. Bagh printing is an array of dynamic floral and geometrical prints made using finely cut wooden blocks and vegetable dyes.

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