Tie-Dyeing of Gharchola (silk saree) in Kutch, Gujrat

Tie-dyeing has been a family tradition in this town. Women after finishing family chores sit all day tying thousands of these little spots. and everywhere in the town we saw yellow dyed gharcholas drying on the line from modern condos balcony's and the roof tops and courtyards of houses.

The gharcholu fabric is always in the auspicious red colour associated with weddings and marital happiness, with the white and yellow dots with green areas highlighted by localised dye-painting.

Design is stamped on the white gharchola saree which is mostly woven with silk and gold thread

				small dots are tied with thread all over fabric to create designs and motifs
		metal finger-nail		The metal 'finger-nail' helps guide the tying thread

gharcholu at various stages. Note the roll at back - white gharcholu tied, ready for first dyeing roll in the front - yellow dyed gharcholu.

All tied gharcholu The gharcholu fabric is always in the auspicious red colour associated with weddings and marital happiness, with the white and yellow dots with green areas highlighted by localised dye-painting.

On the line

Modern approach

Modern approach to tie-dying The market is dictating the traditional workers to take modern approach. Here is experimental shirt on the line