Ajrak

Europe North America Oceania Ajrak (Sindhi: اجرڪ‎), also known as Ajrakh, is a unique form of textile block-printing found primarily in Sindh, Pakistan[1] and the village of Ajrakhpur in the bordering Kutch district of India.

[2] Ajrak textiles like shawls or dresses display special designs and patterns made using block printing with stamps.

[3] Ajrak prints are also famous in neighbouring areas of Hyderabad, Pakistan, in Hala, due to their influence from the Indus Valley civilization.

[4] Apart from Sindh and Kutch, recently, a Saraiki version of the Ajrak called Sajarak was created and is found in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Early human settlements in the lower Indus Valley found a way of cultivating and using Gossypium arboreum commonly known as tree cotton to make clothes.

A bust of the Priest-King excavated at Mohenjo-daro, currently in the National Museum of Pakistan, shows one shoulder draped in a piece of cloth that resembles an ajrak.

Of special note is the trefoil pattern etched on the person's garment interspersed with small circles, the interiors of which were filled with a red pigment.

Ajraks are usually about 2.5 to 3 meters long, patterned in intense colours predominantly rich crimson or a deep indigo with some white and black used sparingly to give definition to the geometric symmetry in design.

Many prominent politicians from Sindh publicly wear ajraks, including the deceased former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto.

Post the earthquake, there has been an increase in the demand for Ajrak, moving its status from a local tribal caste dress to a catwalk worthy craft [8] This has led to a huge amount of funds and dedication from various brands being focused on innovation in the block print.