BAGG  PRINTING--A UNIQUE ART OF HAND BLOCK PRINT

Traveling to new places give us enough scope to learn about so many hidden things.I travelled to Mandu for a passion to explore the historical site of that particular place .Within that magnetic place a different aspect attracted my attention while roaming at the market areas at the evening time.  Due to rain the ambience was little hazy and more lovable to enjoy the mist.Mostly the tourists were enjoying at center of small local market by taking hot boil corn and omelets. Steadily, i went towards the tiny shop which demarcated the hoardings on the name of BAGG PRINTS  cloth materials available here. This was what intricately motivated me to know more about it.I interacted with the shop keeper regarding the details of the bagg prints. Though customers were very scanty so i got opportunity to talked in details.This is how the story line began.

                                     Mist soon after rain at Mandu                                    

Hand printing on clothes is a tradition of our Indian culture  and civilisation. With the development of civilization the art of hand print has been spreading like a wild fire. This specific bagg print has been a traditional work of Bhora community of Madhya Pradesh . They are doing this printing by their own hand with wooden blocks.The organic colors are basically applying for the printing on the clothes.

Since so many years the Khatri  community has been doing the printing works at Bagg ,under district Dhar. Now, other community are gradually learning to spread this art and also this helps them to earn for their livelihood.

For making prints , first of all the artist design the wooden blocks at least 1300 in numbers.They usually collect natural  vegetable colors for coloring the  materials.It is believed that the water of Baghini river, which is flowing near the Bagg Village , is helping to brighten the colors of the print on the clothes.Once the artist make design through his blocks then they repeatedly washes at the water of the baghini river which is the base matter for making it so specific.

Most of the basic  designs are taken from  the Buddhist art and style . The name of Bagg has came after the  Bagg Cave which is situated very close to the village.One can visit there from Ujjain that is 150km distance from there and 120 km distance from Mandu. 

To popularize this hand print block design among mass , government has organized so many associations and printing association club at Dhar.Rupayan is also established for the marketing of the  genuine bag print. 

After getting so much information from the shopkeeper and locals i choosed from the available stuffs.. No doubt all designs were very extraordinary, soft and unique. Due to limited stock i returned after taking few . Next visit was towards Rupayan on next day morning but availability of dress materials were very less as no season was there for tourist . Perhaps , at the time of winter one can get more choice due to the arrival of more tourist.But, one can contact with this no to get bag prints directly from Mandu,9098563120. I collected book from the shopkeeper to know more about the bag hand print but initially he hesitated to handover me that book to me completely because that was the only source through which he explained to the foreign tourist. I promised him to return his book within very shortly once i completed my blog .Again i choice a set of dress material which were very dear to me. 

What made me more close to Bag hand print is that its design and uniqueness of color combination. Very light weight to wear. Artist are so expert to do designs on their hand. Mr. Yusuf Khatri from Bagg received National Prize from Honorable Ex president Dr . A.P.J Kalam on 2003 for his Alzerin print of hand print.

Art and artist are the backbone of our Indian Culture.So, felt satisfied after getting so many information about Bagg .If possible i will able to give them scope to visit Delhi at any exhibition so that the local artisans can get platform to sale their product so also popularize this among new young generation.

25-7-2019-----Visit to Mandu as a tourist 

Sapna Acharya

Travel Writer