Spread & Decline of the art 

The craft was at its peak during the period of renowned Saudagiri Trade, which made Pethapur, a block making hub. It was hundred years of trade between India and Siam (present day Thailand). The blocks were made at Pethapur, the fabric was printed at Ahmedabad and exported to Siam via sea routes of Cambay. The three Surat based company Maskati, Baghi and Vashi were involved in this trade.

The renowned Saudagiri trade had made Pethapur, a wood block making hub. During the period of Saudagiri trade (1839- 1940) there were around 122 households involved and 1500 craftsmen engaged in wood block making craft. Its hundred years of trade ended by 1940 due to the Second World War i.e. (1939- 1945). The development of Screen-Printing Industry almost during the same time caused a gradual decline of this craft. Establishment of the Capital of Gujarat ‘Gandhinagar’ (1960) and commencement of Gandhinagar Thermal Power Station (1977) also gave an opportunity to work at Government printing press and Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB).

During the 1990’s graph of wood block making craft had been declined due to development of mechanized printing resulting in a gradual decrease in the number of wood block makers. This led to the financial crisis (1992) and many block makers have started other jobs or business.

After the Earthquake (2001) in Kutch, Gujarat there was an upsurge in demand of hand block printed textile in both export as well as local market which trickled down to the block makers of Pethapur who got enough orders to overcome their financial crisis.

            During the pilot study conducted by the investigator in 2017, it was found that the number of craftsmen engaged in this was less than twenty, which was alarming since soon we would be losing out on our traditional heritage of wood block making craft practised in Pethapur since the 16th century. Thus, it was envisaged to find solutions to preserve, promote and advance to sustain both the craft and craftsmen.

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Contribution of National Award winner Master Craftsmen Shri Maneklal Trikamlal Gajjar :

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There was an important role of Shri Maneklal Gajjar in spread of the craft. He had made all possible efforts in bringing the craft and the Pethapur village in limelight. Shri Maneklal Gajjar was a recipient of several National honours. His blocks were displayed at several museums, art galleries and art institutions in India and Abroad.

The blocks carved by Maneklal Gajjar are housed in various museums pan India as well as in museums of several countries.

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INDIA

• Department of museum and picture art gallery, Sayajibaug, Vadodara, Jahangir art gallery, Mumbai,

• Craft Museum, Delhi,

• Gujarat State Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited,

• National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, District Registrar Cooperative Society, Ahmedabad,

• Sanskar Kendra, Paldi, Ahmedabad (Shree Hakubhai Shah, Nehru Fellow)

• Gallery of Garden Mill, Surat Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India, Mumbai and Delhii

• Calico Museum of Textile, Ahmedabad,

• The Instructor Rangkam and Chhapkam Shala, Cambay and Patan, Gujarat

ABROAD

• Victoria and Albert Museum, London, U.K.,

• Mr. Alfred Buhlar of Basel Museum, Switzerland,

• Peabody Museum of Harward, U.S.A.,

• Dr. Hana Kinxkova, Czekoslovakia

• Mr. John and Penny Hubley, U.K

• Roso Yesnowski Mullers Blandruckeri,West Germany

• Ela Selianu, Yu62000 Mnibot, Yugoslavia,

• Mr. Veni, C/o. Ueno sansheikabof Yougoslavia, Otsuka Textile Design College, Japan

• Ebby Swallow Museum of Archeology and Anthopology, U.K.

• Leicetershire- Museums Art Galleries and Records service, By Julia Nicolson.

Geographic Indication (GI)

By the efforts of GUJCOST, Pethapur Printing Blocks got registered and received Geographic Indication (GI-tag) in 2018.

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