SAEDNEWS: Ghalamkari, a kind of traditional print that is applied to textile, is one of many handicrafts of Isfahan. The handicrafts of Isfahan are so popular and prosperous that this city was chosen as the World Crafts City by the World Council of Handicrafts in 2015.
Ghalamkari prints, also known as “Chit Sazi”, are one of Iran’s most ancient and captivating artistic crafts, with some scholars tracing their origins back to India.
Traditionally, these intricate designs were hand-painted on textiles such as cotton, silk, and linen using brushes and natural herbal dyes. The meticulous work of master artisans earned this craft the name Kalamkar or “Ghalamkar”, derived from the Persian word “Ghalam”, meaning brush.
Over time, the labor-intensive painting process was replaced by wooden print blocks, which were easier to use and less time-consuming. The earliest blocks discovered in Iran were made of stone and date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Wooden blocks, introduced by the Mongols in the late 14th century, quickly became central to the craft. Designing and carving these blocks remains the most crucial step in producing authentic Ghalamkari prints.
The process begins with sketching the intended design on paper. Each color is separated into single-color layers, which are then carved onto Pear or Hawthorn wood blocks. Typically, four blocks are made per design, corresponding to four main colors. Printing follows a precise sequence: black first, then red, blue, and yellow, with green and brown sometimes added as complementary shades.
Ghalamkari designs are rich in cultural symbolism, featuring patterns of animals, foliage, arabesques, Isfahan monuments, and famous literary themes such as Leyla and Majnoon, alongside miniature-style paintings. The craft reached its peak during the Safavid dynasty, when Ghalamkari textiles flourished so extensively that in Isfahan alone, four major bazaars and numerous caravanserais were devoted to production, sending exquisite fabrics to cities across Iran.
Today, Ghalamkari remains a vibrant showcase of Iranian heritage and artistic mastery, offering visitors a glimpse into the country’s historical craftsmanship, cultural stories, and the enduring beauty of hand-printed textiles.
