The art, which is prevalent in the Kutch district of the Western Indian state -Gujarat, turns an ordinary piece of cloth into a work of art. The use of Blue, Red, Yellow and Black in Ajrak is an Arabian formula, informs master artist, Khatri Mohammad Siddiqi. His forefathers have practised this art for over nine generations. When his forefathers migrated from the erstwhile province of Sindh, now in Pakistan, to settle down in Kutch, they brought with them this art from. Only natural colours, without any sort of chemicals, are used for printing.
Black colour is derived from chickpea and yellow from the skin of pomegranate.
Then there are different plants from which colours like deep red and vibrant blue are derived. Though the process is lengthy, it is to be followed dedicatedly to achieve the desired results. The actual process of printing begins by dipping the cloth in the mixture of oil and ash essence. This transforms the cloth into a milky white colour. Then a layer of camel dung and soda ash is applied the on cloth and it is soaked in water.