75th Republic Day: PM Narendra Modi wears white kurta-pyjama, bandhani turban, know more about the print

This year marks the 75th Republic Day of India and the whole country is ready to witness the parade that will begin moving from Vijay Chowk to the Kartavya Path.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wears multi-coloured bandhani print safa pagdi

On this day Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen wearing a white kurta-pyjama with brown Nehru jacket and multi-coloured bandhani print safa pagdi and paying homage to our brave soldiers at the National War Memorial.

The Republic Day 2024 parade theme is ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’, emphasising India’s role as a nurturer of democracy. This year the chief guest is French President Emmanuel Macron.

What is the Bandhni print?

Bandhani, also known as Bandhni or Bandhej, is a traditional Indian textile printing and dyeing technique. It is particularly popular in the western Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, as well as in parts of Pakistan. Bandhani involves the tying of small portions of the fabric with thread or fine string to create intricate patterns and designs before dyeing the fabric.

Here's how the Bandhani printing process typically works:

Preparation: First, a plain piece of fabric, often made of cotton or silk, is washed and prepared for dyeing. It is usually soaked in water to ensure that the dye will be absorbed evenly.

Tying: Skilled artisans then use their hands or small tools to tie tiny knots in specific areas of the fabric. The patterns and designs are determined by the arrangement and density of these knots. The tied portions will resist the dye, creating distinctive patterns when the fabric is dyed.

Dyeing: The tied fabric is dipped into vibrant colored dyes, which are often natural dyes derived from plants or minerals. The tied knots act as a barrier, preventing the dye from reaching the tied areas, resulting in a contrast between the dyed and undyed portions.

Drying: After dyeing, the fabric is allowed to dry, which sets the colors and patterns.

Unbinding: Once the fabric is completely dry, the tied knots are carefully untied, revealing the intricate Bandhani patterns. The process of unbinding requires great precision to avoid damaging the fabric.

The final product is a beautifully patterned textile with a unique, dotted or speckled appearance, which is characteristic of Bandhani prints. The patterns and colors used in Bandhani can vary widely, and the technique is often employed to create garments, scarves, and other textiles for both everyday wear and special occasions like weddings and festivals. Bandhani textiles are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and cultural significance in the regions where they are produced.

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