Fabric and Process
Cotton Achadiya
Achadiya is the cotton undercloth that protects the block-print tables in the desert regions of Gujarat. Over time, they absorb layers of marks, patterns and colours, capturing irregular shapes and distorted motifs, and trace the shadow of the artisans’ movements. These cotton cloths are recycled, washed, dried in the sun, and weathered by the natural elements until discarded.
In these rich canvasses of indigo and iron, subtle Ajrakh designs surface - a glimpse of a tree of life, or a subtle silhouette of a star - but with an asymmetry distinct from true Ajrakh designs.
Silk Achadiya
Exploring this concept further with Sufiyan, we experimented with alternative fabrics, exposing them for various time frames, and capturing them at different stages of their transformation process. The silk Achadiya, like its cotton counterpart, evolves with every step in the artisans’ process, making each piece beautifully unique.
With the silk being lighter and more delicate, different imagery emerges: dappled light on water; branches dancing in the wind; cascading blossom; an ancient mosaic. The depth of these fabrics has a poetic rhythm and each is a piece of art in itself.
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Kala Cotton
Combined with the Achadiya cloth, we work with the region’s traditionally-grown organic Kala Cotton.
Kala cotton is indigenous to Kutch and completely organic, as the farmers do not use any pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. It is a purely rain-fed crop that has a high tolerance for both disease and pests, and requires minimal investment.
Studio Astray combines the naturally off-white and indigo-dyed Kala Cotton with re-purposed Achadiya cloth to create our collections.