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Examples of Bagh block printing.
Modern machinery has made it easy to replicate traditional crafts but the results are not the same. For example, the look of block printing can be achieved more cheaply and uniformly using textile printing machines but the fabric will not have the subtle tonality and three-dimensionality that hand blocked fabrics have. And use of machinery displaces traditional artistry and the livelihoods of the artisans. No longer are they able to earn a living in a sustainable way — in many cases artisans have to leave their villages and get work in cities, which disrupts the “fabric” of village life, and creates hardship.
In addition, many craft techniques are practiced by women, whose mobility and income earning opportunities are severely limited. When women in traditional cultures can work at home or in their villages using traditional crafting skills, they are able to take care of their children and they are able to contribute much-needed income to their families. In many cases, such earnings are used to educate their children, which is critical to making their lives better. It also raises the status and power of the women, which has been shown to have positive effects on their relationships with spouses and other family members.
Rain Lily is passionate about products made using these traditional techniques and using fresh, updated designs. Look for exciting news about our new design venture with a Central Indian block printing group! And visit our online shop:
Rain Lily Shop
