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The Pomegranate: A Symbol of Life and Creativity




The pomegranate, a fruit that has travelled through human history, holds a special place in cultures around the world. Thought to have originated in Iran and northern India, this shrub-like plant has been cultivated for thousands of years and is rich in symbolism and meaning. From ancient Egypt to Greek mythology, and from Zoroastrian rituals to Jewish ceremonies, the pomegranate has been celebrated for its beauty and fertility.

 

In India, the pomegranate’s significance runs deep. Mentioned in ancient scriptures, its image is carved into temple stones and woven into the rich fabrics of the country’s textile traditions. Intricate silk sarees from the South and luxurious pashmina shawls from Kashmir often feature this fruit as a symbol of life, abundance, prosperity, and fertility.

 

Beyond its symbolic meaning, the pomegranate’s vibrant natural pigments have been used in dyeing textiles, offering a beautiful, earthy tone. Since it is very high in tannin, it makes for an ideal dying pigment. At Poonam’s House, we’re inspired by both the cultural significance and the natural beauty of the pomegranate. It embodies a sense of richness, not just in its physical form, but in the emotions and stories it represents across so many traditions.

 

It’s amazing to think how one fruit can carry so much history, meaning, and artistry, a true testament to the power of nature in shaping human culture and creativity.



Step 1: Fabric Preparation

Wash the grey fabric thoroughly by soaking it in hot water overnight, dry it in the sun, and the fabric is ready for printing.

 

Step 2: Preparing the Dabu Paste

Dabu printing starts with preparing a sticky paste of clay by mixing black soil, calcium

hydroxide (chuna), and a solution of water and gum from Acacia (babul) for binding. The paste is strained through a fine cotton cloth twice for smooth consistency. The mud-resist prevents colour penetration while dyeing, leaving the area white after washing.

 

Step 3: Printing Stripes

Print the stripes in Dabu with the help of a wooden block. Dry the printed fabric in the sun and allow the fabric to rest for three days to ensure thorough drying before dying.

 

Step 4: Indigo Dyeing (Medium Shade)

Dye the fabric in a medium shade of Indigo. Indigo is a cold dye and the vats are prepared by the process of fermentation.

 

Step 5: Printing Dots

Print dots in Dabu on the dyed fabric with the help of a wooden block and dry it in the sun.

 

Step 6: Indigo Dyeing (Darker Shade)

Dye the fabric in Indigo again to achieve a darker shade. Ensure even distribution of the dye.

 

Step 7: Post-Mordant Treatment

Wash the fabric in alum water to enhance colour fastness, and remove all the mud from dabu

printing.

 

Step 8: Preparation of Pomegranate Dye

Boil Pomegranate peels in water to extract the dye. Strain the dye solution using a fine cotton cloth to remove all the solid particles.

 

Step 9: Dyeing with Pomegranate Dye

Pomegranate dye gives shades of yellows. When an Indigo dyed fabric is immersed in Nashpal, it turns green, and the white area from Dabu printing turns yellow.

 

Step 10: Final Processing

Wash the dyed fabric to remove any excess dye or mordants. Allow the fabric to dry completely.

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