This Jajam is printed by Kanniyalal Chippa post his return from the printing stint at Bagru. He and his brother Amarchand were renowned Jajam printers in and around the Akoria region of Rajasthan. One cannot miss the combination of contemporary motifs popular in Sanganer and Bagru during the 1970s-80s. These motifs were popular on bed sheets, wrap-around skirts, and tablecloths. Kanniyalalji fused these contemporary motifs with traditional motifs like Phetia to cater to local demands.

Jajam offered to community temple by the printer.

This is a privately owned Jajam by a joint family. The family could afford one and preferred owning it over frequent borrowing. It was also lent for events of their extended family of Uncles, Cousins, and neighbors. A diamond shape was specially commissioned at the center of this gigantic Jajam. The owners fondly recollect the eventful days of its washing. They carried it on a bicycle to the pond. Four people held four corners jumping up and down to rinse it in water. The two-layered Reza is very thick with joints across its expanse.

Every art form goes through a boom and bust cycle, only to rediscover itself. This Jajam belongs to the struggling times when the craft faced challenges from labor, decline of local demand, and degradation of rivers. During this period, craftsman Nandkishore Nagar innovated with designs and sizes to enhance its visual appeal. For instance, this Jajam has overprints of blue over the green base color, unique to traditional regional designs. Additionally, Nagar sized down floor-spread Jajams to bed-sheet expanse. He displayed these attractive variants in craft exhibitions, playing a pivotal role in the survival of the art form during the decades of darkness.

Dowry is an Indian tradition of the bridal family gifting the bride-groom. In parts of Rajasthan, dowry included a Jajam and a mattress. As displayed in this picture, the mattress had Jajam prints as it was used to spread out on the floor. It was mostly the only other form of existence of Jajam prints. Colloquially, the mattress was popular as ‘Sodiya’ and was typically the size of a Khat (bed). Regions around Jahota, Jairampura were uniquely known for Sodiya.

Jajam found at a jajam printers house that he had printed for his family use.

Privately owned jajam to host guest for weddings and other life ceremonies.