Anokhi is a Hindi word which translates to ‘Unique’. Anokhi Museum was curated to represent the traditional art forms of hand printing by showcasing its history, process, and techniques. The museum also wants to create awareness about the unique art and educate the new generation on taking it up. The Anokhi museum building is the 16th century Haveli situated on the outskirts of Jaipur near the Kheri gate of Amer Fort. The dilapidated Haveli was purchased by the founder of Anokhi, Mr. John Singh in the 1970s and the restoration work started on it. The Haveli was restored in four years under the guidance of heritage architects using skilled craftsmen to bring it back to its original grandeur.
The Havel housed a hand-embroidery unit for the local women until the year 2005 where it was open for visitors as Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. With its efforts to restore the art and craft form, the museum earned a UNESCO award for ‘Cultural Heritage Conservation’ in 2000.
The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, which opened in Jaipur in 2005 and touts itself as the only museum in India dedicated to the art of hand-block printing, gives a rare peek at the work of Indian block print artisans like Ullakhan.
Exhibits of the Anokhi Museum spread over three floors display the intricate workmanship and painstaking process of different styles of hand-block printing.
The founders of Anokhi, the popular Indian retailer of block-printed clothes, to create a venue to learn about the history and techniques of the craft, rather than showcasing a collection of antique textiles. (Anokhi clothes are also sold in Britain, Japan, France, Mauritius and Spain through various distributors.)
Technological advances and fast fashion are leading to the threat of these traditional craft forms. But Anokhi Museum however has documented and continues to document the work by traditional communities and how to preserve them. The team is always looking for new craftsmen and techniques to develop new garments in the main workshop on the outskirts of Jaipur. The exhibits in the museums share the story of these communities.
In Anokhi hand printing on textiles using various tools is one of the most traditional forms of art, which involves decorating cloth or garment with a print pattern. The print pattern uses natural dyes from the backyard making it one of the most sustainable practices. Indian printing techniques are diverse which includes: Bagru, Bandhani, Dhabu, Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Leheriya, Sanganeri, and Batik.
Hand block printing is dependent upon clean, mineral-rich water to create colours from natural dyes. Due to pollution in the river, the only freshwater resource in towns which make this art, the mineral content changes which ultimately changes the end colour on the garment. The withering of colour from the garment is also faster.
Though water filtration systems are effective, however, it takes the environmental concern to establish the system. Not all craftsmen understand the importance of setting up in expensive filtration systems for their small scale craftsmanship process. While the chemical balance in water doesn’t affect the printing process, the overall well being of river water affects this water-dependent process. The craftsperson in Anokhi needs to have pride in his or her work to continue and the work needs to be respected.
Anokhi not just use sustainable organic dye and fabric it also preserve traditional techniques of printing and craftsmanship .They also gives hand embroidery works to the local villager women. They value the tradition of the craftsmanship .
REFERENCE: About Us
About Us (2020). Available at: https://www.anokhi.com/anokhi/about-us.html (Accessed: 10 October 2020).
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