Sun drying the cotton cloth

While much has changed in Bagru over the past decades, the basic print technique and the processes followed have remained largely the same.

The process starts with the preparation of the cloth. The cotton cloth either hand-woven or mill made, is treated with various concoctions that remove additives used in the process of weaving, making the cotton softer, more absorbent and print ready .

The cloth is treated further with a powdered brew of the fruits of the Chebulic Myrobalan, locally called Harda, which imparts it a pale lemon hue. This process facilitates the uniform absorption of the dyes and yields brighter colours. The cotton cloth is then sun-dried on the banks of the river.