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Bandhani Arabi: The Making of a Tie-dyed Typeface
This project is a collaboration between The TypeCraft Initiative and TypeAraby to produce a typeface that celebrates the rich craft traditions of South Asia and the Middle East, while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary design. By incorporating the intricate designs of Bandhani (tie-dye) and the calligraphic traditions of Arabic, Farsi and Urdu, we aim to create a typeface that is both visually stunning and culturally significant. The type is co-developed and co-created with a community of Indian women practicing the Bandhani craft in Bhuj india. The worshop took place in Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat India in December 2023 and the final digital typeface is forthcoming.

TypeCraft Team: Ishan Khosla and Andreu Balius
TypeAraby Team: Basma Hamdy, Shima Aeinehdar, Zainab AlShibani & Selma Fejzullaj
Qasbi Team: Fahd Khatri , Bhavana Ajani, Farheen Khatri, Farzana Khatri, Nuren Memon, Rizwana Momon, Saleha Khatri, Samiya Khatri, Shabana Manjothi and Talha Khatri.
Cinematography and Editing: Aayush Chandrawanshi
Photography: Soumi Das

A group photo with the entire team of designers and craftspeople.

Bhavana Ajani and Shima Aeinedhar showing the letter ‘yaa’ that has been dyed and unknotted.

Basma Hamdy & Ishan Khosla discussing initial progress of the letterforms with Fahd Khatri.

Letterforms drying in the indian sunlight.

The first phase of the workshop provided the craftswomen with wooden stamps to mimic the tye-die pattersn of Bandhani.

Samiya Khatri displaying one of her initial stamped creations.

Discussions and suggestions of pattern-making on the larger word forms.

The dyeing process, once the fabric is tied it can be dyed in various colors.

The transfer process involves craeating small pin-sized holes into the fabric that is then stained with temporary ink so that the craftswomen can identify where to tie.

Projects: ❶ Beyond the Letters ❷ Wujood ❸ Bandhani Arabi ❹ Sacred Silence ❺ Unraveling Persuasion Workshops: ❶ Curve of Noon ❷ Play Cut Stamp