Wooden Block for Hand Printing of West Bengal

Block printing is an ancient Indian art in which wooden blocks with elaborate designs are dipped in colour and repeatedly placed on fabric. Each region of India has its own set of motifs, colours, and fabrics. Burdhaman and Serampore in West Bengal have been textile and paper printing centres since the 1800s.

Typically, the pattern is a traditional design with historical meaning, inspired by traditional motifs such as birds, abstract figures, nature, and plants. This pattern is traced onto a wooden block by the craftsman, who then  prints the design onto the fabric. As the artisan prepares the colour, the cloth is carefully cleaned and dyed. Finally, the cloth is printed and allowed to dry.

Although it is a declining practice, it has been modernised and preserved by artists who have adapted it to create a variety of handicrafts. In an era dominated by mass manufactured goods and fast fashion, the renaissance of block printing has revived the community.