Craftsmanship
Artisans At Work: The Journey
The Punjab stretches across North India and Pakistan. Wood carving is a very popular craft including carving prints out of wood to create beautiful designs on textile. Usually the craft is handed down in families and in this instance artisans painstakingly carve intricate patterns out of wooden blocks from the Sheesham Tree (North Indian Rosewood).
These trees are native of the Punjab. They are hardy and fast growing withstanding the harsh dry hot summers and cold winters. Sheesham wood is used widely to carve furniture as well. Ethical tree planting becomes a necessity because the trees are a source of income. Sheesham wood is durable and sustainable.
Wood block printing is one of the oldest and simplest methods of fabric printing that has changed very little over the centuries
Step 1 Selecting and preparing the wood
Sheesham trees are cut down, the trunk is cut into circular blocks of +/- 5cm depth which are then sanded smooth. The blocks are then left to dry naturally for several weeks before they are ready to be carved.
Step 2 Carving the blocks
Once dry the artisans set to work. First the blocks are painted with a chalk like paint which enables them to trace a design on the wood. With great precision the design is then carved carefully by hand using chisels hand drills and 'hammers', these are long wooden rectangular blocks (not conventional hammers). To carve a large intricate design intricate can take up to six days. Once carved each block is sanded to ensure the surface is thoroughly smooth.
Step 3 Preserving the blocks
Each carved block is then soaked in mustard oil to preserve the wood and stop it cracking it also makes it water resistant.
This timeless craft is often handed down in families, children in their teens often start working in the family business. Large blocks are frequently used to print bales of cotton fabric later used to make garments.
The skill seen is incredible. The artisan loads the block with a colour and prints the fabric. If a second or third (or more) colour is going to be used he will add one colour at a time using his eye to ensure precision and no overlapping. You will never see rulers or any other form of measurement being used by the experienced craftsman.
