Bairaj Block Printed Silk Batik Scarf from India & book Artisans by Design

Description

Each $5.00 ticket gives you a chance at winning this luxurious silk scarf designed and hand printed with wax resist and dyed in natural dyes by Shakil Khatri in Mundra, Kutch, India. Shakil’s family has been creating batik for five generations. This scarf features the motif Bairaj (“rule of women”) traditionally printed on the wedding trousers of women of his community and a border created to complement the pattern. Kutch batik began using synthetic dyes when paraffin was introduced in the early 20th century. During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Shakil found an opportunity to study the chemistry involved and realized a long-held dream: reviving natural dyed batik. Shakil is featured in Judy Frater’s book Artisans by Design, which is included in this bundle. “You need the right atmosphere to realize potential,” Shakil says. “We got the whole atmosphere at the school.” He will speak with Frater in a virtual WARP panel discussion on September 18.

Donated by Judy Frater, WARP Member and owner of Textiles Live, who leads small groups of textile lovers to learn hands-on from artisan graduates of the design school she founded in Kutch. Next tour 27 December-10 January! Learn more at www.textileslive.com