Bandhani
Tie-dye of thousands of tiny knots, forming dots of colour.
बांधणी
What it is
Bandhani comes from the Sanskrit word for tying. The cloth is pinched into tiny points and bound tightly with thread before dyeing. The bound points resist the dye, and when the thread is removed they appear as small dots.
Patterns are made from many such dots, grouped into waves, flowers or grids.
How it is made
- 1MarkThe cloth is marked with a pattern of dots.
- 2TieEach dot is pinched up and wrapped tightly with thread, often with a fingernail.
- 3DyeThe cloth is dipped in dye, usually from light to dark colours in turn.
- 4DryIt is dried while still tied.
- 5OpenThe threads are removed, revealing the dotted pattern, and the cloth is stretched flat.
The tradition
Bandhani is strongly associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan, where it is worn at weddings and festivals. Different communities use particular colours and patterns.
How to recognise quality
- Dots are small and consistent.
- Each dot has a clear, round shape.
- Dye is even, without bleeding between areas.
- The cloth keeps small puckers where it was tied, a sign of handwork.
Care
- Wash separately or dry clean. Colours can bleed.
- Do not soak.
- Dry in shade.