Pethapur Directory -Details

This directory brings together patterns from Pethapur, a block making centre near present day Ahmedabad in Gujarat, which is believed to have played a major role in the historical trade of printed textiles from this region called Saudagiri, with south east Asia. The patterns are geometrical and bring to mind the jaalis, lattices and carved designs in medieval period architecture in Gujarat. These patterns are formed by variations of small dots, which are so fine that they have been referred to as raidana, the seeds of the mustard plant.

The execution of this panel is precise and minute. Clusters of small dots, in various arrangements are fascinating to watch grid wise and as a whole. The minutiae is reminiscent of another handcraft, the rai dana bandhej of Western India where tie dye knots are as small as the mustard seed.