Ajrak block printed coverlet Ajrak block printed coverlet

Razak-bhai created calligraphy using the stencil technique. This created a bold, new, dramatic design. It also allowed him to use lettering without having to carve them in wood first.

The coverlet has a cadence of questions and replies which are a part of customary practice in his community. A greeting is followed by a formalized response. It goes like this:
'bhalo?' ("are you well?")
'chango?' ("how is your health?")
'khush?' ("are you happy?")
'majeme?' ("are you enjoying yourself?")
'jode?' ("how is everybody?")
'mataro?' ("are you fit?")
'karam?' ("how is your work?")
'raham?' ("mercy?")
'baju?" ("how are your neighbours?")
'barbacha?' ("how are your children?")
'aadopado?' ("how is your community?") and finally 'ahen? ("all are well?")

The jousting of words in a singsong manner establishes a jovial mood when people greet each other.

Words in calligraphy are drawn and cut out like stencils, to be placed on a solid colour base and printed with ajrak blocks so that just the words stood out in print. This created a bold, new, dramatic design. This also allowed Razak bhai to use lettering without having to carve them in wood first. The process became simpler and more effective.