Bandhani Ghar

Bandhani Ghar is situated on Ladi Rode, very close to the Nagina Masjid. You can usually hear the calls to prayer throughout the day, which gives the place a specific rhythm. Our shop and workshop are combined into one space. Since we work with bandhani, there is always some dye around and the smell of wet fabric. We have vats in the back for the coloring process and long lines where we hang things to dry. The floor is often stained with different colors, but that’s just part of what we do. It isn't a place where you'll find polished marble or glass displays. Instead, we have wooden shelves filled with tied-up bundles of cloth. Neighbors often stop by just to chat for a minute while they’re passing through the lane. It’s a tight-knit area and everyone knows everyone else’s business. We have a couple of small stools for people to sit on if they want to look at the work. Sometimes the kids from the street run in and out. It gets a bit chaotic during the festive seasons when everyone wants something new. We just keep our heads down and keep tying and dyeing the cloth. It is a slow process that takes a lot of patience. Our hands are usually stained blue or red by the time evening rolls around.