Indian Batik

As i said before, there are some traces that India has historical traces of batik. Though with time the practice of Batik was reduced because of the entrance of Egyptian machines. The practice of Batik revived in India in the 19th century when it was introduced as a 2 year course in Shanti Niketan (Kolkata and Thereon).

Well the finest Batik paintings made in India are from Chola Mandal which is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Batik is mainly done in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Andra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.Batik done in cotton is normally washed with detergent whereas, silk batik is normally dry washed. Batik is same on both sides and in India it is mostly done on cotton and silk and normally synthetic clothes are avoided.

Evolution

In the starting natural dyes (turmeric was used for yellow,berries was used for red colour,etc.) were used  with cotton and silk cloth. Now, batik id done on cotton, silk, Georgette, crepe, voiles, poplin,cambric, etc; and chemical has taken the place of natural dyes.Before the colours mostly used were Indigo (symbolising God Brahma), Dark Brown (symbolising God Vishnu) and White ( symbolising God Shiva). Now, brighter colours are used.

Batik was used precisely for tailored clothes and dresses. Now it is used as wallhangings, dupatta's, paintings, scarves, bedsheet, handbags, shawls, Kurti's, etc.

Indian Batik Tools

Kalamkari pen

Tjanting tool 1

Tjanting tool 2

Praffin Wax

Boiling water

Beeswax

Batik has several kind of material and tools, starting from fabric to water. Fabric used can be cotton or silk or any woven cloth but mainly cotton is used in India. Wax is used containing 70% Praffin Wax and 30% beeswax. More paraffin wax will result in more cracks.

Dyes are used as colours. Brushes , Kalamkari pens.Tjanting tools can be used to apply wax. Boiling water is used to remove the wax.

Dyes

References:

2011 (2010) Batik, Batik fabric, Batik in Indian textiles, printing tradition. Available at: http://www.india-crafts.com/textile/printing_tradition/batik/ (Accessed: 22 January 2017).

2011 (2010) Batik printing. Available at: http://www.india-crafts.com/textile_products/batikprinting.html (Accessed: 23 January 2017).

strandofsilk, 2017 (2011) Gujarat - Batik - A prelude to Indian Batik. Available at: https://strandofsilk.com/journey-map/gujarat/batik/introduction (Accessed: 24 January 2017).

HISTORY OF BATIK FABRIC-INDIANMIRROR (no date) Available at: http://www.indianmirror.com/culture/indian-specialties/Batikfabric.html (Accessed: 25 January 2017).

 Pedia, T.U. (2013) Batik: All about Batik fabric, Batik art and Batik Saree. Available at: http://www.utsavpedia.com/motifs-embroideries/batik-a-worldwide-art/ (Accessed: 25 January 2017).