INTRODUCING SINDHI JANDI

Jandi is about a 300-year old craft, traditionally used to make swinging cradles (called Hindoro in Sindhi), sofas, chairs and tables. In recent times, the craft is also being employed to create products that are more apt for modern spaces, such as vases and candelabras.

The craft uses a specific local wood, called bahan, which is mostly sourced from Balochisan, Kandhkot and Shikarpur. Bahan is a light and dry wood, which repels woodworms and absorbs and retains colour well. The wood is first dried, and then cut into different shapes and sizes. What makes this craft different is the way it is shaped, with curves and curls, adding fluidity and distinction to the product.

After being smoothened out, the wood is wrapped with pango to be rolled in order to apply seven colours and shine under heat emanating from coals set on a brick. To make intricate designs, the artisans use various handmade tools, such as pango (a piece cut from a frond for levelling colour on the wooden piece), rachi, palkar and khurchan (chisel). The drawing of various designs and hues on wood is called ‘jandi’ in Sindhi. Because of the minute, coloured spots that resemble tiny beads, this jandi work is called ‘jahawardar jandi’. The colours used to make jandi are also manufactured by local women.

Jandi is an ancestral art and most artisans practicing the form today learnt its intricacies from their forefathers. It is known for its durability, delicacy and natural beauty, with beautifully drawn patterns on them.