Masterclass: Ajrakh with Ranamal Khatri

Dates : 9th - 15th December
Timings : 11 am to 5 pm IST 

Step into the magical world of Ajrakh, a revered form of block printing that dates back to
the Indus Valley Civilization, circa 2500-1500 BCE. Ajrakh’s distinct floral and geometric
patterns are created through a meticulous process of resist dyeing that involves thirteen
intricate steps. Traditionally created in deep indigo and earthy madder tones, the final
textile is of remarkable beauty and complexity.
We are delighted to invite you to a week-long immersive Masterclass at Nila House with
the celebrated Ajrakh artisan, Ranamal Khatri. Hailing from Barmer, Rajasthan, Ranamal ji
has dedicated over 35 years to perfecting this ancient craft, learning from his father and
earning a National Award in 2014 for his exceptional work.
Throughout this intensive workshop, you will journey through the process that defines
Ajrakh block printing—from the initial washing and treatment of the fabric with natural
emulsions to the final dyeing in indigo and manjistha. Under Ranamal ji’s expert guidance,
you will gain hands-on experience in creating your own Ajrakh masterpiece, learning the
secrets of this age-old tradition.
Whether you are a seasoned artisan or a complete beginner, this Masterclass is open to
everyone to everyone and designed for ages 18 and above. Materials and lunch will be
provided each day, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in the creative process.

Workshop schedule
Day 1: We begin by washing the fabric and treating it with an emulsion made of castor oil
and soda ash. After this treatment, the fabric is steamed in a copper vessel to prepare it
for the next steps.
Day 2: The treated fabric is dyed using a mixture of camel dung and arugula (Taramira) oil.
After being left for 3-4 hours, it is washed thoroughly to remove the emulsion. Once
cleaned, the fabric undergoes a tannin treatment.
Day 3: A paste made of lime and Babool gum is applied to create outlines on the fabric. To
form fine black outlines, a mixture of fermented shyahi water and tamarind seed flour is
used.
Day 4: Motids are filled in with the desired colours using tamarind seed flour. The colour
pigments, known as Dibari, are prepared with Babool gum, Dhavda gum, and lime.
Day 5: We will create a paste called Gajja or Khad using Multani clay, fennel, mulethi,
Sugi, jowar flour, rice flour, and Dhavda gum. Alum is then added to this mixture for
printing. After printing, dried cow dung is sprinkled over the fabric to prevent smudging.
Day 6: The printed fabric is dyed in a natural indigo vat made from indigo, jaggery, and
lime. The fabric is dipped up to two times, then washed in fresh water four times to remove
any residual lime or fructose.
Day 7: The final dyeing process, called Ghana, involves immersing the textile in a madder
dye bath with Shakud and Dhavda flower at 90 degrees for two hours. The fabric
undergoes a thorough washing to remove all substances applied during the process,

revealing the final design. After washing, the fabric is laid out to dry, completing the dyeing
process.

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