Bandhani (Hindi: बांधानी) is a type of tie-dye textile, where each dot is created by hand-tying, a specialised micro-act of craftsmanship. The term Bandhani is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root bandh (“to bind, to tie”). The craft is especially prominent in western India.
The earliest evidence of Bandhani dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, where dyeing was practiced as early as 5000 B.C. One of the earliest examples of the most pervasive type of Bandhani dots can be seen in 6th-century paintings depicting the life of Buddha on the walls of Cave 1 at Ajanta.
The craft of Bandhani, when executed on luxurious silk, creates a textile that is visually rich, materially sumptuous, and culturally steeped. On silk, the effect is heightened, the sheen and drape elevate the narrative from traditional ethnic wear to wearable luxury.
