धारण
In Sanskrit, a single root can hold an entire philosophy.
धृ (dhṛ) — to hold, to bear, to uphold.
From this root emerge words that define existence itself:
Dharti — the Earth, which holds all life.
Dharma — that which sustains the order of the universe.
And Dharan — to adorn, to carry upon oneself something worthy.
At the Govind Dev ji temple in Jaipur, a bhajan is sung by devotees:
Dharan karya pache to mane darshan de dejo
— grant me your darshan, after adorning your self.
The devotee dresses the deity with flowers, with a bansuri, with a mukut, with fabric, with love — and only then, humbly, requests the divine presence. In the Vaishnava tradition, Dharan becomes the highest form of sringaar— not decoration, not mere dressing, but devotion made visible.
That is the word we chose for our brand.
A garment is not just fabric and thread. It is something you choose to uphold on your body and in your life. For it to be worthy of Dharan, it must be made with integrity, intention, and reverence ~
Roots in Craft
Dhãran was born from a shared conviction — and two lifetimes immersed in craft.
Rachna and Dhananjai Singh are trained textile designers, shaped by years of hands-on engagement with India's living craft traditions — block printing workshops, natural dyeing processes, embroidery ateliers, and the artisan communities who carry these skills across generations.
With over fifteen years of combined experience across design, production, academia, and craft development, they bring both skill and understanding — not only of how things are made, but why they matter.
2017 — Dhãran began with a clear and focused idea: to bring the richness of hand block-printed textiles into everyday garments. Not as costume. Not reserved for occasions. But as something lived in — modern in form, thoughtful in detail, and deeply rooted in craft.
2020 — Dhãran evolved into a design-led label, creating complete collections from first sketch to final stitch, reaching customers across India and beyond.
Philosophy & Values
Slow Fashion
Small, intentional batches. Collections shaped around Indian seasons, festivals, and lived rhythms. Every garment is created with relevance and longevity in mind, not trends, but time.
Zero Waste & Upcycling
Nothing is wasted. What remains is reimagined as Phoolwari, where remnants find new life as something beautiful and intentional.
Artisan Livelihoods
A community of 50–60 artisans, sustained through year-round work, shaped by collaboration, and committed to preserving skills meant to endure.
Environmental Responsibility
Natural dyes — Indigo, Madder, Turmeric. Natural Fibres — cotton, chanderi, silk, linen, khadi, tussar. All wastewater is responsibly treated through a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).
The Founders
Rachna Singh
A textile artist whose career spans over two decades - from working as a senior designer at Orient Craft, developing collections for DKNY, Pottery Barn, and Ralph Lauren, to leading the Textiles Department at IICD as an Assistant Professor, and now founding Dhãran.
Her expertise: natural dyeing (indigo, dabu), hand block printing, zardozi, aari, chikankari, gota-patti. Exhibited at Maison & Objet, Paris.
MA Painting, First Class — University of Allahabad (1999)PG Diploma in Crafts & Design — IICD, Jaipur (2003)
Fashion Product Design module — London College of Fashion (2016)
North Zone Bronze Award — Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation, 2016
Dhananjai Singh
Comes from a family with deep roots in hand block printing. Leads Dhãran's business operations, export development, digital strategy, and e-commerce. As the brand's photographer and creative director, shapes the visual language of everything Dhãran puts into the world.
BCom — Sydenham College, MumbaiPG Diploma in Textile Design — IICD, Jaipur
Brand photographer & creative director, Dhãran
Our Team
Rupal Singh
Fashion Designer with a love for craft, guided by material, process, and quiet luxury.
NIFT KANGRA, 2020
priyashi arya
Textile Designer with a strong focus on sketches, surface, and the language of handmade.
IICD JAIPUR, 2024
sonia gardner george
With 9 years in merchandising operations, driving cohesive brand narratives while mentoring and leading collaborative teams.
ST. XAVIER'S COLLEGE, JAIPUR, 2015Craft Vocabulary
दाबू — Dabu
Mud-resist block printing — clay, lime, natural gum. Soft, layered patterns shaped by climate and the artisan's touch.
इंडिगो — Indigo
Fermentation vat dye. Fabric emerges green, turns blue on air. Deepens with each dip; softens with each wash.
स्याही बेगर — Syahi Begar
Two-colour block printing — black from iron & jaggery, red from alum & geru. Precise, disciplined, Rajasthani.
खड़ी — Khari
Raised block printing with metallic or tinted pastes. Catches light, creates shadow. Signature of the Whites Collection.
हस्त कारीगरी — Hand Embroidery
Patwa edging, kangura borders, phoolwari flowers, zardozi, aari, gota-patti.
Clothing is not just something you wear.
It is something you choose to carry.
Something made with care —
and chosen with the same intention.
Something worthy of being possessed & adorned.
Something worthy of Dhãran.
~
Dhãran Shop
Jaipur
A hidden gem in a quiet corner of the city, the Dharan showroom invites a closer experience of craft and detail. Each piece finds its place—where texture, form, and story are felt, not just seen.
Location
Design Studio
Jaipur
A quiet space of thought and making, the Dharan studio is where ideas evolve into form. Guided by material and process, it is a place of exploration- where craft, design, and intention come together in a continuous dialogue.
Printing Unit
Bagru
Where earth, dye, and hand come together, the Bagru factory holds the rhythm of traditional printing. Each process unfolds slowly- blocks pressed with care, colors drawn from nature, carrying forward stories shaped by time and touch.
Blog posts
Journal
Some clothes naturally become a part of your day. They are easy to wear, easy to pair, and often the first thing you reach for when the weather gets warmer. Easy Summer was built around that idea. ...
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A Little Love, Wrapped In Flowers
Bouquet of Love is a study of togetherness, where distinct elements come together to form something whole. Inspired by the act of building a bouquet, the collection embraces difference within harmo...
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Where Craft Follows Nature’s Rhythm
Block printing is a living craft, where repetition and variation exist in balance. Each impression holds the rhythm of the day, shaped by the maker’s touch, pace, and presence.The result is a texti...
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