History of Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing

Anokhi is a Hindi word which translates to ‘Unique’. Anokhi Museum was curated to represent the traditional art forms of hand printing by showcasing its history, process, and techniques. The museum also wants to create awareness about the unique art and educate the new generation on taking it up. 

The museum building is the 16th-century Haveli situated on the outskirts of Jaipur near the Kheri gate of Amer Fort. The dilapidated Haveli was purchased by the founder of Anokhi, Mr. John Singh, in the 1970s and the restoration work started on it. The Haveli was restored in four years under the guidance of heritage architects using skilled craftsmen to bring it back to its original grandeur. 

The Havel housed a hand-embroidery unit for the local women until the year 2005, when it was open for visitors as Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. With its efforts to restore the art and craft form, the museum earned a UNESCO award for ‘Cultural Heritage Conservation’ in 2000.

Preserving the crafting process at Anokhi Museum

India’s expertise in natural and vegetable dyes dates back to ancient times. The finding of dyed cotton fabric pieces dated to the Indus Valley Civilisation proves the existence of hand-printing as an art form in India more than five millennia ago.

India enjoyed a virtual monopoly in the production of dyed, painted and printed textiles for a long time. Till very recently, all hand-printed techniques included the usage of natural dyes only. Block printing and Tie-Dye techniques were the first hand-printing techniques to emerge in India. 

Technological advances and fast fashion are leading to a threat to these traditional craft forms. Anokhi Museum has documented and continues to document the work of traditional communities and how to preserve them.

The team is always looking for new craftsmen and techniques to develop new garments in the main workshop on the outskirts of Jaipur. The exhibits in the museums share the story of these communities. 

Hand printing on textiles using various tools is one of the most traditional forms of art, which involves decorating cloth or a garment with a print pattern. The print pattern uses natural dyes from the backyard, making it one of the most sustainable practices.

In India, several hand-printing techniques have flourished over the centuries. Indian printing techniques are diverse and include: Bagru, Bandhani, Dhabu, Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Leheriya, Sanganeri, and Batik.

Love Hand-made crafts and products? Give this a read: Chendamangalam Handlooms from Kerala and Sabai Grass Handicrafts from West Bengal.

Hand printing and Sustainability

Hand block printing is dependent upon clean, mineral-rich water to create colours from natural dyes.

Due to pollution in the river, the only freshwater resource in towns which make this art, the mineral content changes, which ultimately changes the end colour on the garment. The withering of colour from the garment is also faster. 

Though water filtration systems are effective, however, it takes environmental concern to establish the system. Not all craftsmen understand the importance of setting up (in)expensive filtration systems for their small-scale craftsmanship process.

While the chemical balance in water doesn’t affect the printing process, the overall well-being of river water affects this water-dependent process.

The concern is even more as many craftsmen are shifting to using chemical dyes, which are not only a traditional practice but also harm the environment and their own health in the long run. Though chemical dyes are banned unless they are regulated and pass the stringent environmental standards, the silver lining, in this case, is public demand for sustainable textiles using environmental practices.

The Anokhi Museum experience

After buying entry tickets at the entrance, a huge courtyard welcomed me with cool air. The drastic temperature difference was soothing and made me realise the importance of traditional buildings. 

A staff member pointed us towards the way around the museum, and then it was a walk around the history of the museum and the goal of starting and maintaining the museum.

Exhibitions and Collections at Anokhi Museum

From the techniques of carving into the block to the dyeing process of the garment, the collections took me to various historic roots of block printing and designs, which evolved. The galleries highlighted the various range and complexity of this craft, including the traditional dress, which is worn even today, as well as home furnishings. The collection included vintage and modern printed fabric, supplemented by carved blocks and related tools and photographs. 

More than 100 garments and blocks are on permanent display in the galleries across two floors. There are ethnic designs and patterns, and also Western clothes in traditional prints. 

Hand Block Printing Process

Step 1: Making blocks

Designs are finalised that need to be printed on the garment. Most often, the designs are traditional Indian motifs like paisley, but others are inspired by nature, beliefs and customs. An artisan traces the chosen motif onto a wooden block, usually made of teak wood. Alternatively, rubber and linoleum are also used in making blocks. Each block is hand-carved using various tools by the artisan. Blocks take several hours to a few days to complete, depending upon the intricacy of the design. 

Once the design is carved, the blocks are treated with oil and set aside to soften. This makes the block hold colour before printing.

These blocks are then used to print the pattern onto fabrics using natural vegetable dyes like indigo, pomegranate rind, and turmeric, in vibrant blues, reds, and greens.

Step 2: Preparation of fabric

The artisan prepares the fabric by washing it. Traditionally, the fabrics were washed in local rivers to make it mineral-rich. This also made the block printing process highly sustainable, because it reduced water consumption.

Traditionally, the cotton fabric is torn by hand and scoured with soda ash. It is then washed and thrashed repeatedly to remove natural oils and starch, and then it is treated with a mixture of cow dung and castor oil for bleaching. The final step makes the cloth a pale yellow after it is introduced to the myrobalan nut bath for incorporating tannins. This is a 2-week process!

Step 3: Dyeing the fabric

Third, the fabric is dyed its base colour, laid flat on a table, and fixed firmly to the table with pins. Although small variations in the printing are part of what makes Indian block print fabrics so special, a single unwanted movement can result in smudges or uneven printing, which means starting over again.

Step 4: Colouring

The artisan mixes four or five basic, natural colours to create a multitude of dyes. The artisans then apply the colour to the block and press it hard on the cloth and sometimes even strike it hard with a mallet to create an impression. This step is repeated to darken the impression. This hand printing is carried out throughout the length of the fabric.

Step 5: Dyeing

Lastly, once the dye has dried, the completed block print fabric is rinsed in a local river. The block printing process concludes by hanging the fabric to dry in the sun. Just as the method of washing reduces water consumption, this sustainable method of drying the fabric minimises energy consumption for a smaller environmental footprint than many manufacturing processes.

A display showing step-by-step printing process on a garment

A display in the museum made me understand the whole process was the step-by-step process of the block printing process. The journey of grey cotton cloth from various processes to the finished product is noteworthy.

Noteworthy pieces of the display not to be missed at Anokhi Museum

Jajam 

A traditional durry or a thin carpet was used in yesteryears for floor seating. Jajam has been called the people’s textile, as they were often communally owned and played a vital role in the social life of a Rajasthani village. These intricately crafted textiles were personalised for each community to accommodate community gatherings in a village or for guests coming to a life ceremony.

Jajam designs are inspired by local architectural designs as well wildlife of a region, such as tigers and elephants.

Hand Block Printed Blankets 

On the second floor, there are two galleries exhibiting “Focus on the Collection: Bichaunis: Blankets,” and “Bakst.” Bichaunis are hand-stitched blankets or quilts that, under different names, are widely used across Western India. In rural Gujarat, they are often made of recycled cloth patched together. and quilted with long running stitches. The bichaunis here are Anokhi re-interpretations—new printed cloth with plain cloth on the reverse, stitched together by women in Barmer. They are simply arranged, hanging on bars inside a row of elegant display cases.

In “Bakst,” a square-ish room contains five display cases with vibrantly dressed mannequins.

Live demonstration at Anokhi Museum

I moved from one gallery to another, uncovering the information related to block printing. I finally came to the top-most floor of the museum, which houses other permanent displays of regional textiles, dye and print processes, and block-making. It also has areas set aside for tools, blocks and demonstrations of block-making and printing.

There is a DIY T-shirt counter where you can choose a design, block print on it, sundry and take it back as a souvenir. This comes as an extra cost of INR 250 per t-shirt.

I struck up a conversation with the artisan and asked him a couple of questions. He offered to try the block printing process. I was happy to print this handkerchief, which he happily asked me to carry with me as a souvenir. Check out other souvenirs from Jaipur that are worth buying!

There is a mini auditorium to view daily film programmes featuring short documentaries and slide shows. I decided to miss it and end my tour.

Workshops in Anokhi Museum

Anokhi Museum offers a 2-day course in block-printing and wood-carving to visitors and enthusiasts who are keen on learning the process. There are many activities which suit different types of participants, ranging from school groups to tourists. 

The Anokhi Museum tour ended with the souvenir printing, and I climbed down the staircase to explore the Anokhi shop. 

Anokhi Museum Shop

I was already smitten with the labour that goes into making vibrant and intricate block printing designs on a garment. It was clear that I fell in love with the products and garments in the Anokhi shop. The products range from diaries, files, garments, stoles and many more. The variety is amazing and almost what you would see in the city shops of Anokhi. You can buy Anokhi kurtis from the Anokhi shop in Jaipur.

Is Anokhi Museum worth a visit? My Takeaways 

As a block printing enthusiast, I absolutely enjoyed visiting the museum. The displayed garments are beautiful and remind me of the incredible richness of India’s textile culture. The exhibitions and galleries are thoughtful and informative, and portray the history of art in the best way. The museum is well placed to increase awareness of block printing and the cultures that have traditionally made and used it in the past and in the present. I found the museum to be a gem.

I highly recommend visiting the Anokhi Museum for art, culture and heritage lovers for an enriching experience.

How to reach Anokhi Museum from Amer Fort?

Take the left turn from the Amer fort exit towards the north. You will cross the Amer town and keep walking towards the Kheri gate. You will cross the Bihariji temple opposite the Panna Meena ka Kund to reach the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing on your right.

Anokhi Museum timings

Anokhi Museum is closed on Mondays.

Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm

Note: The museum is closed each summer between May 15th and July 15th for gallery maintenance.

Anokhi Museum Ticket Fee

Anokhi Museum’s entry fee is INR 80 per person. This fee is valid for foreigners too.

Sustainable tips and reasons for choosing hand block printed textiles from Anokhi Rajasthan

• When you buy a hand-printed textile instead of a mass-produced garment, you are respecting the art and years of experience of the artisans.
• When you buy a block-printed textile, you are feeding the family and helping the artisan’s children for a good education.
• You are participating in celebrating the ecological integrity of nature, plants and people.
• You are choosing an environmentally friendly and sustainable art form for your daily consumption.

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