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There was a documentary film that used to be shown on Doordarshan in my school days. It was about unity in diversity, and had a catchy song “Ek, anek…Hind desh ke niwasi sabhi jan ek hai". That was the time when this sentiment was entrenched in all our hearts.   Our country has for ages, had a rich history and tradition of assimilation and synthesis of cultures, and religious tolerance. And though there have been sporadic riots and targeted violence now and then, we can proudly say that very few cultures have had such a glorious background of peaceful co-existence of multiple religious, cultural and linguistic groups. Things have changed over the past few years, however. The word "Secular" is being bandied about as an offensive term. You have to take sides, to prove your nationalism and love for your country with frantic chest thumping. If you don’t flaunt your nationalistic pride, you are prone to being name-called, either “sickular”, a “libtard” or “urban naxal

For the last couple of years, handloom fabrics have made a huge comeback in fashion. Prints and dyes using natural vegetable colours are the "in thing" today.  India has a rich tradition of block printing techniques. We have Dabu, Bagh, Batik, Bandhni, Ajrakh printing styles that are hugely popular with both fashionistas as well as conservationists.  Traditional # IndianPrints  like Kalamkari, Bandhni, Dabu, Batik, Ikkat, Telia, etc. are so vibrant and colourful, they can give any modern print a run for its money! Image Source: Indiamart.com Ajrakh happen s to be one of   the oldest textile printing methods created by man. This craft had almost gotten lost in obscurity, but thankfully has been rediscovered in recent years by textile revivalists. It has got a well-deserved shot in the arm from the growing popularity in fashion and couture.   #AjrakhPrints are the in-thing in sarees and traditional wear now. What is Ajrakh? The origins of this # textilecraft can be trace