Sindh Jo Ajrak

Description

This is the only major work on Ajrak, the famous double-printed cotton cloth of Sindh, Pakistan. Since the earliest trading contacts between Europe and Asia, this cloth has been appreciated and much sought after. The Venetian Niccolao Manucci wrote in 1659 that it "lasts beyond all cloths that I have used", and the Englishman William Fremlin noted that ".. of all sorts of Indian goods, none are in such request as those of Synda..." Years of painstaking research lies behind this book, which minutely describes the twenty odd laborious stages of producing ajrak. The book is unusual in that it also includes a detailed directory of the craftsmen she found which still practice the traditional craft correctly. With this book, the humble Sindhi craftsmen who have struggled to maintain a long and culturally significant tradition have received their monument. The craft has revived in recent years, and beautiful photographs well document this remarkable textile-making process Review: Uniquely Sindhi! - I just received a much anticipated copy of the second edition of "Sindh Jo Ajrak". This is one of the few books I have seen in a long time, that I didn't even have to open to be overcome with sheer joy. The book has a cloth binding, with a 3"x4" piece of the famed Sindhi Ajrak very tastefully framed into the the cover itself. When I did get myself to open the book, I found page after page of absolutely beautiful color pictures detailing the ancient tradition of Ajrak making, showing artisans hard at work, and putting it all in the context of the Sindhi landscape. The book is appropriately dedicated to "all the anonymous artisans of Sindh, who over the centuries have contributed to the creation and perpetuation of a rich and sensitive art-form -- the making of an Ajrak." The significance of the Ajrak to the Sindhi society and culture is described very nicely in the introduction: "The continuity of Ajrak production and use over the centuries is maintained only because it is an integral part of Sindhi culture. Its usage is evident at all levels of society, and the cloth is held in high esteem, with the utmost respect given to it. I trust the world will give protection to preserve this incredible process and this precious ancient craft tradition." Readers may also want to look for a film on the Ajrak apparently produced by the author, that was shown at the South Asian Film Festival in Nepal last October. The film is titled: "Sun, Fire, River: `Ajrak' - Cloth from the Soil of Sindh". Review: The Best book on Ajrak - Ajrak is a traditional shawl used by both Sindhi men and women.Making of Ajrak is a very long and tedious process. This book provides information about Ajrak and how it gets its final shape.This is perhaps the only book of its kind.