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AN ICONIC HAND BLOCK PRINTING STUDIO

AN ICONIC HAND BLOCK PRINTING STUDIO

July 28, 2022
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Image courtesy of Padmini Govind 

“Hand block printing is inherently organic, sustainable and always ethical”, says Padmini Govind, Partner, Tharangini Studio, of the ancient craft of printing motifs and patterns on cloth using hand carved wooden blocks.


Tharangini Studio, a hand block printing studio in Bangalore, Karnataka state, India, was founded by Padmini’s mother, Lakshmi Srivathsa, in 1977. As the studio was next to the family home, Padmini grew up in an environment blessed with craft, and was drawn to the handmade from an early age.   

With Bangalore being a “Silk City”, the studio specialised in hand block printing of silk saris using special dyes made with a plant resin binder. Over the years, Lakshmi made several trips to various corners of India to collect interesting woodblock prints. She also drew inspiration from South Indian weaves and motifs to add to the library that now has about 5000 blocks. Some of India’s legendary textile experts and independent artisans were among the studio’s early mentors.


Image courtesy of 
Tharangini Studio

Tharangini Studio was, and remains, well known for the aesthetic designs and colour combinations of patterns rendered on the textiles; for fostering an inclusive artisan community; and for following ethical and sustainable work practices. One of the studio’s highlights is reactive or discharge printing using natural gum arabic (plant-based) resins. This intricate, 14-step process utilises elements of fermentation, steaming and curing in the sun to produce unique results.

In 2007, Padmini returned from the US after studying engineering and working in the corporate sector for 18 years, and immersed herself in the activities of the studio. Lakshmi sadly passed away in 2011. Though without her mother’s guiding presence, Padmini knew Tharangini Studio was to continue. And for this she felt the work had to pivot towards home furnishings, and export oriented production services.


Image courtesy of Tharangini Studio

In the past decade, the studio has carved a place for itself by specialising in hand block-printed textiles, specially designed and created for clients and brands, on a variety of fabrics. “The prints are worked using dyes certified as organic under GOTS that are safe to use and lend themselves to consistency over large production volumes. The colours are bright, do not fade or bleed. Our handmade dyes are made to match Pantone TCX so that if a customer returns for a print of specific colour it can be created. We also create customised products with plant-based dyes for clients”. 


Over the past 45 years, Tharangini Studio has created thousands of artistic hand-block printed textiles. The studio is working on a special, commemorative collection drawing on this wonderful heritage. The collection features a range of artisanal hand block printed home and lifestyle products of a universal sensibility in their motifs and colour combinations that speak of an enduring commitment to authentic craft practises.  

Find out more at: tharanginistudio.com and @tharanginistudio

Blog courtesy of Brinda Gill
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