Bandhani is a type of tie-dye practiced mainly in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, India.

The term bandhani is derived from the Sanskrit word banda (“to tie”). Bandhani is also known as Tie Dye orBandhej,Bandhni, or Bandana depending on the regional pronunciation.

Bandhani work involves tying and dyeing of pieces of cotton or silk cloth using mainly yellow, red, green and black. Bandhani work, after the processing is over, results into a variety of symbols including, dots, squares, waves and strips. Bandhani pieces can be dyed by natural and artificial colors.

A meter length of cloth can have millions of tiny knots known as “Bheendi” in the local language (“Kutchhi“). Four bheendis are known as a “Kadi”. These knots form a design once opened after dyeing in bright colors. Traditionally, the final products can be classified into “Khombi”, “Ghar Chola”, “Patori”, “Chandrokhani” etc.

Why Bandhani?

Bandhani cloth is beautiful to look at and the bright colors give you a sense of positivity, but so far it has not been used on a large scale outside of the garment industry.Bandhani cloth is exclusively made by hand thus we will be able to support the women and cottage industries in rural areas of Maharashtra and Gujrat where there are thousands of families relying on this handicraft.