
Tharangini Studios: Printing with a Conscience
At Tharangini Studios in Bangalore, block printing is a practiced ritual of rhythm, color, and care. Since the 1970s, this women-led, family-run workshop has specialized in printing with organic inks and hand-carved wooden blocks. The process begins with mixing GOTS-certified pigments—vibrant but short-lived colors that must be remade every few days. Artisans prepare unprocessed fabric, which may feel stiff at first but softens beautifully with time and wear.
Each wooden block is pressed into color and stamped onto the cloth by hand, layer by layer. The alignment must be precise. The tempo is unhurried. Patterns slowly emerge, full of tiny variations that reflect the human hands behind the work.
The women behind the color table—including Bhanuamma and Yashodara—bring decades of expertise. Their trained eyes keep every shade true. At Tharangini, every printed piece tells a story—of tradition, sustainability, and the power of doing things with intention.