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Techniques
How a thing is actually done — the decisions that cannot be undone.
- 01
Hand Painting
Drawn freehand, in one pass. There is no correcting a line laid in dye.
Kalamkari - 02
Block Printing
One hand-cut block per colour, registered by eye across the length of the cloth.
Block Printing - 03
Resist Dyeing
The pattern is decided by what the dye is prevented from reaching.
Bandhani - 04
Natural Dyeing
Mordant, bath, wash, sun — repeated until the colour stops being a coating and becomes the fibre.
Kalamkari - 05
Handloom Weaving
Counted, tensioned and released, one pick at a time.
Ikat - 06
Embroidery
Structure built entirely from a single continuous thread.
Sozni Embroidery - 07
Carving
Depth is decided early and cannot be added back later.
Temple Woodcarving - 08
Lost-Wax Casting
The model is destroyed to make the object, so the object cannot be repeated exactly.
Dokra - 09
Inlay
Metal cut into metal, then the ground darkened so the inlay reads.
Bidriware - 10
Lacquer Turning
Colour applied on the lathe, melted into the surface by the friction of turning.
Channapatna Lacquerware - 11
Filigree
Wire drawn finer than thread, then built into open structure.
Silver Filigree - 12
Wheel Throwing
A turned form never closes exactly where it started.
Terracotta