Bandhani Sarees

Bandhani (from bandhan, to tie) is the tie-dye art of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Artisans pinch tiny points of cloth and bind each with thread before dyeing, so every dot in the pattern was tied by hand.

Finer work means smaller dots packed closer together; a single saree can carry thousands of knots. Traditional motifs include dots (bindi), waves and the chandrakala moon.

Genuine Bandhani has a faint crinkle where the knots sat and dots that are never perfectly uniform. Dry-clean or gently hand-wash in cold water, and dry in shade.