Artist:
Abdulaziz Alimamad Khatri and Suleman Umarfaruk Khatri
Region:
Country:
Organization:
Media/General:
Medium of Work:
Year(s) Attended:
About:
Abdulaziz and Suleman Khatri are tenth-generation bandhani artists and experts in natural dyes. Abdulaziz is also trained in water conservation and environmental concerns related to dyes.
The bandhani technique involves dyeing a fabric that is tied tightly with a thread at specific points. Thousands of these tiny knots, known as bheendi, can appear on a meter of fabric, forming a vast variety of patterns. The design emerges after dyeing, when the knots are untied to reveal galaxies of dots, often in bright colors on rich backgrounds.
Abdulaziz and Suleman combine a clamp resist dyeing technique with traditional bandhani knotting to create designs often inspired by dramatic images of nature: the eclipse of the sun, clouds, rivers, and honeycombs. Women wear bandhani for special occasions, with particular patterns and colors identifying community, age, and marital status.
Colors typically used are yellow, red, blue, green and black, all of which convey different meanings.