Balotra

So, at last, to Balotra.

There are so many huge silk printing factories on the outside of town.   The River Luni and it's surroundings  are stained with discharged chemicals.     Many of the traditional block printers, or Chippas, now work in these factories.   

Our "man who knew"  directed us through the winding alleys of the old town

a little distraction - the woven base of a charpoy (Indian bed) propped up against a wall.   

I really do need one of these!!!

Around the corner the block printers busily working

making new printing blocks called buntas or buntis    they are generally made of 

seasoned sisam wood     the blocks are carved by hand and an intricate one

can take up to five days to complete    the blocks last for 1000-1500 metres  

that's a lot of printing

printing with indigo mixed with dabu (mud) paste as a resist

design printed with dabu resist   the print is dusted with fine sawdust

to prevent the design from smudging as the next section is printed,

and seals the printed portion from the subsequent dyeing process

and this is the printer in my book, how amazing   he had never seen

the picture before and was quite overcome  I will send a copy to him

And, finally, the rigorous beating and washing process

cloth laid out in the sun to dry

kuttar print

the distinctive Balotra prints we were searching for

the family have been printing the cotton cloth for over 150 years

the workshops are lined with shelves full of printing blocks

So exciting  must return for a longer visit in November