--- title: "Vintage Wood Block Archive | Custom Handblock Prints | Tharangini" description: "Explore Tharangini’s rare archive of vintage wood blocks. Authentic South Indian motifs for custom handblock printed sarees and apparel. Sustainable and timeless." canonical: https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/a-legacy-in-wood-the-block-archive last_updated: 2025-09-12 --- # Vintage Wood Block Archive & Custom Prints Tribe Verified · Heritage textile studio active since 1977 By [Tharangini Studio](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio) · Shop at Studio in Sadashivnagar; Ships across India · ₹3,500 per saree (service only) (estimate) Part of [Artisanal Apparel & Textiles](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/gallery) Explore our studio’s extensive archive of rare teak blocks, where heritage South Indian motifs meet sustainable, natural-dye printing. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Our artisan Banu shares stories from our vintage design archive. She shows how these patterns, inspired by architectural arches and ornate pillars, are used to create beautiful borders for sarees and necklines for dresses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/08ae95bf-0bd0-4ebc-8732-08ee2dec419e) - ![Our artisan Banu shares stories from our vintage design archive. She shows how these patterns, inspired by architectural arches and ornate pillars, are used to create beautiful borders for sarees and necklines for dresses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d0f5c39-7c57-4483-b018-af33323f41fb) - [Video: Our artisan Banu shares stories from our vintage design archive. She shows how these patterns, inspired by architectural arches and ornate pillars, are used to create beautiful borders for sarees and necklines for dresses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9ba3c03a-80a3-499a-99d1-c59cc3b1aad7) - ![Our designs are deeply rooted in our South Indian heritage. We are proud custodians of vintage blocks featuring motifs like the Gandabherunda, the emblem of Mysore, and patterns inspired by the Dravidian architecture of the Vidhana Soudha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/13599532-a21d-4b49-966e-a703c8fccf1e) - ![Our designs are deeply rooted in our South Indian heritage. We are proud custodians of vintage blocks featuring motifs like the Gandabherunda, the emblem of Mysore, and patterns inspired by the Dravidian architecture of the Vidhana Soudha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/295aa8f1-f8dd-4fb3-b7e9-ec77f0324f24) - ![Our designs are deeply rooted in our South Indian heritage. We are proud custodians of vintage blocks featuring motifs like the Gandabherunda, the emblem of Mysore, and patterns inspired by the Dravidian architecture of the Vidhana Soudha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6048343e-e3eb-4f8f-a82a-f65c81f78471) - ![Our designs are deeply rooted in our South Indian heritage. We are proud custodians of vintage blocks featuring motifs like the Gandabherunda, the emblem of Mysore, and patterns inspired by the Dravidian architecture of the Vidhana Soudha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/770613f7-ad82-4e9f-9ace-9de3940fbeef) - ![Our designs are deeply rooted in our South Indian heritage. We are proud custodians of vintage blocks featuring motifs like the Gandabherunda, the emblem of Mysore, and patterns inspired by the Dravidian architecture of the Vidhana Soudha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9a5838c0-568f-4700-ac0b-da1d8d1d350f) - ![Our designs are deeply rooted in our South Indian heritage. We are proud custodians of vintage blocks featuring motifs like the Gandabherunda, the emblem of Mysore, and patterns inspired by the Dravidian architecture of the Vidhana Soudha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f3ff2a0-2d25-4d7b-8a29-7e79a42d5ede) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/24c47d36-6319-4f8f-a98f-87a560637409) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2c073050-1573-4ec1-9a49-96bfd7e72c8a) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/33a05a06-bc81-4dd9-9740-c9812615ebbe) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/44da0f98-9c9e-4b79-8e83-d5f0ebe43044) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d866dfa-0fef-46a6-8d36-9fe63867a5e6) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/725d5fe4-e37e-488e-a19e-96540b6cb1c8) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/89328112-e422-4f38-a9ca-6fe9bb863bc5) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e9d9336-99e6-4573-81e9-055a106d45d9) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a38cbc37-c736-46a8-95f4-9f98b87d620d) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a47438e8-b7f1-43ed-b2ed-f914c2281c41) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a65e3696-770a-4212-9f0d-65f24a4cdea9) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a930dedf-357e-402d-b0c8-6b873f093d8a) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b026a49c-8351-4ed1-acbc-f725e6a800db) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b9d82de5-9356-4832-8787-bac8de073a68) - ![The peacock is a recurring motif in our vintage block archive, symbolizing the arrival of the monsoon. This collection shows the incredible variety of peacock designs we hold, from simple outlines to intricate, multi-part blocks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bdef53a4-b25f-4ca4-891e-9d9e917befcd) - ![A selection of our vintage wood blocks inspired by architectural details. These blocks feature ornate arches, pillars, and window grill patterns, perfect for creating intricate borders on our sarees and textiles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b7b2caf5-d865-41ff-8fdd-df12e3c0dab1) - ![A selection of our vintage wood blocks inspired by architectural details. These blocks feature ornate arches, pillars, and window grill patterns, perfect for creating intricate borders on our sarees and textiles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d32ae46-f06a-4811-b28c-7aaba7a77ec9) - ![A selection of our vintage wood blocks inspired by architectural details. These blocks feature ornate arches, pillars, and window grill patterns, perfect for creating intricate borders on our sarees and textiles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4f601f4b-70ed-44b4-b409-6972440869d5) - ![A selection of our vintage wood blocks inspired by architectural details. These blocks feature ornate arches, pillars, and window grill patterns, perfect for creating intricate borders on our sarees and textiles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c025ae78-0391-4918-9abc-0fc3fad360d5) - ![A selection of our vintage wood blocks inspired by architectural details. These blocks feature ornate arches, pillars, and window grill patterns, perfect for creating intricate borders on our sarees and textiles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d23e86b8-d259-49c6-976c-ad6d78be8827) - ![A selection of our vintage wood blocks inspired by architectural details. These blocks feature ornate arches, pillars, and window grill patterns, perfect for creating intricate borders on our sarees and textiles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f48c91f3-6f74-4f8d-a778-3792042dc217) - ![An example of the incredibly detailed woodblock carving work by our friend and collaborator, artist Rebecca Gilbert. Her style explores themes of mystery and communication between realms, showcasing the versatility of woodblock art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/54ebfe7e-2779-44be-b4d1-2804a9a088cc) - ![An example of the incredibly detailed woodblock carving work by our friend and collaborator, artist Rebecca Gilbert. Her style explores themes of mystery and communication between realms, showcasing the versatility of woodblock art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/92ec2a86-41bc-43c6-9643-5afaecee5166) - ![A close-up of one of our intricate vintage paisley blocks. These treasures from our archive are central to our design process, allowing us to carry forward a rich history of textile art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c724e2bd-37e4-445b-ae75-bb889cd6abd1) - [Video: A quick tour of our studio, showing the vast collection of hand-carved wood blocks that fill our shelves. This archive is the heart of our design process, holding decades of history and inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c20adab7-bb4f-4ba8-9eed-19f2694185fa) ## About A Legacy in Wood: The Block Archive These blocks are the heartbeat of our studio. Every pattern you see here, from temple architecture to the Gandabherunda motif, is a functional tool we use for our custom commissions. When you choose a motif, we aren't just pulling a design from a library; we are selecting a piece of Karnataka’s visual history to print onto your silk, cotton, or linen, using natural, plant-based dyes. Since my mother Lakshmi started this journey in 1977, our studio has become a living library of South Indian heritage. We don’t treat these as museum pieces; we treat them as a dialogue between the past and your personal style. ### The Archive Our archive houses hundreds of teak blocks, some dating back to the 1960s. We see arches, pillars, and local flora reimagined as borders for sarees or necklines for dresses. You will find distinct Karnataka motifs like the Gandabherunda emblem and intricate floral jaals that are rarely seen in mainstream textile design today. ### Your Customization Want a specific motif on a saree or a scarf? You can pick from these patterns. We work with you to integrate these heritage designs into modern apparel. Whether it is a traditional saree or a casual cotton dress, every print is executed using GOTS-certified natural dyes, ensuring your garment is as kind to the earth as it is to the eye. ### The Craft It is a slow, deliberate process. We do not rush. The printing involves a multi-step technique to ensure the design embeds into the fabric fiber rather than sitting on top. This is the difference between a mass-produced print and a Tharangini keepsake. Each piece is hand-printed by our artisan family, some of whom have been with us for over three decades, ensuring that every block-printed item carries the soul of our studio. ## About Tharangini Studio We are Tharangini, a second-generation, women-led studio based in our 70-year-old family home. We live by the lake, surrounded by nature, and spend our days working with master artisans who have been part of our family for over three decades. [See all of Tharangini Studio's services](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio) ## More from Artisanal Apparel & Textiles by Tharangini Studio - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/featured) - [Our Handcrafted Sarees](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/our-handcrafted-sarees) - [Contemporary Apparel & Accessories](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/contemporary-apparel-accessories) - [The Artisan's Touch: Our Process](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/the-artisan-s-touch-our-process) - [Our Artisan Family & Community](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/our-artisan-family-community) - [Global Reach & Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/global-reach-collaborations) - [Join Us: Workshops & Events](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/join-us-workshops-events) - [Reviving Heirlooms: Saree Overprinting](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/reviving-heirlooms-saree-overprinting) - [Collection Spotlights](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/collection-spotlights) - [Additional Work & Studio Life](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/artisanal-apparel-textiles/additional-work-studio-life) ## More services by Tharangini Studio - [Custom Textile Development & Production](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/custom-textile-development-production) - [Block Printing Workshops & Experiences](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/block-printing-workshops-experiences) ## Similar work from other experts - [The Art of Hand Block Printing: Our Process](https://mytribe.in/amoha-prints/custom-block-printing-for-brands/the-artisan-s-journey-from-wood-to-fabric) by Amoha Prints · Custom Block Printing for Brands · Visit studio in Doddanekkundi; Ships custom orders across India - [Revive your old Kanjeevaram sarees with custom block prints](https://mytribe.in/mansi_by_sudhakumar/curated-ethnic-apparel-accessories/old-sarees-new-stories-the-revamp-service) by Mansi by Sudha Kumar · Curated Ethnic Apparel & Accessories · Visit Store at Dr Rajkumar Road; Delivers across Bengaluru - [Hand-Painted Pen Kalamkari Sarees](https://mytribe.in/houseofblousedotcom/sarees/the-art-of-pen-kalamkari) by Shobitam · Sarees · Ships across India & US; Visit stores in Jayanagar & Bhartiya Mall, Bengaluru - [Featured Heritage & Contemporary Handloom Designs](https://mytribe.in/deepikagovind/bespoke-bridal-design-services/featured) by Deepika Govind · Bespoke & Bridal Design Services · Visit Design Studio on MG Road, Bengaluru - [Indian Block Printing Workshops in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/en_madtidiya/eco-art-craft-workshops/heritage-crafts-indian-block-printing) by En Madtidiya · Eco-Art & Craft Workshops · Travels to your location, cafes, or parks across Bengaluru - [Block Printing Workshops in Mysuru](https://mytribe.in/color-ashram-foundation/natural-dyeing-workshops-training/the-art-of-block-printing) by Color Ashram · Natural Dyeing Workshops & Training · Attend at Hebbal Studio, Mysuru or in Bengaluru ## Book To book Tharangini Studio, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20love%20your%20vintage%20block%20archive%20designs.%20I'd%20like%20to%20discuss%20getting%20a%20custom%20print%20done%20for%20my%20saree.)