Living Looms of Rajasthan
The Indigo dyed, mud block printed Bagru fabric reflects the creativity of multiple artisan groups. You spend an extra perceptive moment with the fabric and you picturise a traditional village setting - the Kheradi carving out the wooden blocks, the Rangrez preparing the dyes, the Chippas printing the floral patterns so accurately.... you see interdependency in the livelihood of different communities within a village, which ensures harmony. This connect is also prevalent between the artisans groups creating the brightly coloured Bandhini shawls, the intricately embroidered skirts and many other textile treasures made in this region.
Are the interactions between various communities just for the textile creation process? Our journey lets us experience the social interactions between the people of rural Rajasthan. We learn about the marked differences in raw material, design and technique between the arid desert of Barmer and the lush mountainous Udaipur.
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The underlying binding factor of all these variations is the determination of the artisans to cherish their tradition. The quiet pride in their heritage will help us introspect about our own personal roots.
Itinerary Outline
Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Jaipur
We walk around Bagru village with a master artisan. He introduces us to the block carver, explains the fermentation process of the indigo dyes in massive drums, and in his workshop he tutors us on making our block printed shawl. The time we spend choosing our blocks, colours, and testing our hand-eye coordination as we do the printing, it is so precious. Our tutor’s reward for our achievement is a sumptuous lunch in his home.
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The Anokhi museum of textiles widens our understanding of the variety of prints and their application in clothes of different communities. We see the elaborate wardrobe of the royals families in the City Palace museum. The local markets beckon us with their colourful wares, making us wish the flights are more generous with their free baggage allowance.
Jodhpur
We walk through the bylanes of Jodhpur looking for elderly ladies chatting together while they pluck minute parts of fabric and tie threads around them. They include us in their conversations, explaining the tie and dye process, the pattern of the knots and the significance of different colours. Visiting the homes of the dhurrie weavers in Salawas village, we learn about the motifs that decorate these flat weave rugs and the source of natural dyes used on them. We spend an evening walking through the bylanes of the Clock tower market, peering into hole-in-the-wall shops that have just the stuff we need.
Barmer
Embroidery, applique, mirror work, patchwork & wholecloth quilts and much more greet us in Barmer. The tiny needle has made a large difference in the lives of women artisans of the region. We spend a day with them, learning their traditional techniques and talking about the social changes .
Udaipur
A block printing craft that has sustained its symbolism and cultural connotations through the centuries speaks volumes about the dedication of the artisans who have stayed true to their heritage. We have an immersive experience in this village near Udaipur.
We also visit Nathdwara where artisans create the Pichwai, a decorative cloth with scenes from Lord Krishna’s life.
Cherished Experiences
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The ancient mud block printing process comes alive as you walk through the streets of Bagru village. You see the wood carvers chipping intricate designs on blocks, the printers’ arm alternating between the mud based resist and the fabric they are designing, the tanks of fermenting indigo, the sunlight working its magic on freshly dyed fabric stretched on the open field..
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You design your own Dabu block printed shawl under the tutelage of a master craftsman and enjoy the hospitality of his family with a home cooked meal.
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You travel through the history of India’s textile heritage in Anokhi museum.
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You can visualise royal lifestyle as you explore the majestic Amber fort, notable for its Palace of Mirrors
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You will be spoilt for choice shopping in the wholesale textile units.
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You sit around the loom of a Dhurrie weaver in his rustic home and watch the motifs taking shape.
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You walk around Jodhpur’s clock tower market
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You learn intricate embroidery, mirror work and applique from women artisans in Barmer who are making a livelihood from their traditional craft.
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You watch folk performances along the ghats of Baghore ki Haveli in Udaipur.
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You enjoy a traditional dress up and mingle with locals in Udaipur.
Tour Package
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This tour needs a minimum of 10 travellers.
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Pricing will be customised based on preferred hotel category - from premium 3 star to luxury 5 star.
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Our services begin in Jaipur from the time we pick you up at airport/train or bus station/ any place within Jaipur city. We will be with you till our group reaches Mumbai airport from Udaipur.
#Terms and conditions apply
Suggested add-on tours
Rajasthan has a textile rich neighbour - Gujarat. Check out the Living Looms of Gujarat.
​Make Delhi your arrival airport and easily add a 3 day visit to Delhi & Agra before you fly into Jaipur.