Ajrakh block print handicraft is only in Kutch, beware of duplicates
Ajrakh block print craft of Kutch is now known in the country and abroad.
As the fame of the art increased, the artisans’ income also increased, but along with these advantages, there were also some disadvantages.
As the demand for Ajrakh art increases, copies of these block prints also increase in the markets.
To give a unique identity to the traditional block print and protect consumers from duplicate goods, the artisans of Ajrakh have now applied for a GI tag for this art.
Ajrakh block print art originated from the Singhs of Pakistan.
After coming to Dhamdka in Kutch and working as a natural dye, the Khatri families settled in the village of Ajrakhpur on the Bhuj Bhachau highway.
Making natural colours from vegetables, clay and stones and creating innovative designs on fabrics from wooden blocks, the artisans of Ajrakh today have gained a prominent place abroad.
When the Ajrakh block print started centuries ago, it made loongis for the poor and women’s wear.
As time progressed and ajrakh prints gained popularity, the artisans also made gents’ clothes, including dresses, sarees, and shirts, from loongis and odhanis.
Because of this, the demand for ajrakh has increased, and Kutch’s original art has also started to be imitated.
Apart from Kutch, Gujarat and other states’ artisans sell duplicate block print handicrafts with chemical dyes and machine prints.
As the demand for handicrafts has also increased in the online market, these duplicate goods are mostly sold to control prices.
Keeping all these things in mind, the artisans’ organization of Ajharakhpur applied to get a GI tag, i.e. Geographic Identity Tag, two months ago by Ajharkpur Handicrafts Development Association.
The artisans believe that the counterfeit Ajrakh found in the market can be controlled through this tag.
If the Ajrakh art gets this GI tag, the organization can take legal action against those who copy Ajrakh.
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