Every time I travel to India, I discover something new to fall in love with and most recently it was its famous pink city, the city of Jaipur. An entire city painted pink (originally painted to welcome the British Monarchy!) The city’s colours “pop” at you; its history is remarkable… littered with forts, bazaars and of course food. It was here I discovered block printing.
Block printing is not necessarily what I expected to find interesting, but I quickly came to understand its historical and cultural importance. That block printing plays such an important role in empowering entrepreneurial women to achieve financial independence is quite inspiring to me, and the fact it is so much more environmentally sustainable than its more mass-produced alternatives is the icing on the cake… a perfect fit for my vision of Samsara Lifestyle.
Everywhere you go in this colourful city you will see masses of fabric spilling over the sidewalks - trip hazards for many or perhaps an outdoor showroom for some! The city is a kaleidoscope of colour with these amazing textiles. There are literally hundreds of shops in Jaipur and these beautiful fabrics are then transformed with love and care into anything from a tablecloths, napkins, bed linen to a modern-day western dress or a men’s tailored shirt.
But how are they made and what is behind this ancient craft? Block printing dates back to the 12th century. Block printing has deep roots in India's cultural landscape. Jaipur, with its regal charm and historical significance, has been a stronghold for this age-old craft. Traditionally practiced by skilled artisans, block printing involves meticulously carving intricate designs onto wooden blocks, which are then dipped in natural dyes and pressed onto fabric, leaving behind a symphony of colours and patterns. It can take 7 years of training to be a skilled block printing craftsmen and one fabric can use 20 plus colours and 20 plus heavy carved out blocks to create the intricate patterns. No one fabric is ever the same.
On our most recent trip, we spent hours trolling through fabrics and looking at this amazing art form and then we went in search of places that make the products. It is important for me to ensure that everyone I work with is sustainable and ethical. Specifically, this means no child labour used, ensuring the women are supported with fair wages and skills training as well as a work environment that is safe. It is a cornerstone of Samsara Lifestyle that all our products are created using ethical and sustainable methods.
Over the last year, I have learned the importance of keeping women employed in these trades; of providing them with an income, helping them to achieve a fulfilled and productive life which means they raise happier and healthier children. Keeping these women employed allows them to have them own independence in a patriarchal society and they can have control over their destination. From speaking to local wholesalers and foundations I also learnt that women who have jobs in third world countries often equates to their children being educated. One small step towards breaking the cycle of poverty, we hope.
The suppliers that I am using have the same vision as I do, they can see firsthand by providing women with work they are giving them the resources, skills and knowledge to help them pave their way to economic and overall empowerment. So every time I thrown on a block printed skirt or set my table I can see these women hard at work, learning a new skill but mostly I can hear them chatter, sing and I can see them smile often imagine them to be relieved to be free of their highly controlled male dominated home environment.
Soon I will be talking more about my vision of sharing with some lucky members of the Samsara tribe an opportunity to come and experience the India I’ve come to know so well. My vision will be to take small groups on a boutique travel experience that involves spending some time getting to fold back the curtain on life in India and experience first-hand so many of the adventures I’ve so enjoyed – along with the foundation work with the kids of the slums, we will get to know block printing and the artisans who are responsible for so many of the homewares we proudly promote at Samsara Lifestyle. We might even spend an hour so creating something for ourselves.
Jaipur's block printing is not just a tradition; it's a living art form that continues to evolve, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of Indian heritage..