Nirona, in Kutch, is now the only place where this complex art form is practiced. The piece is a treasured one that the AUTHOR picked up a few years ago.
Savitha Suri
Rogan art is said to be over 300 years old and shows a dominant Persian influence in its motifs. The word ‘rogan’ itself means oil-based in Persian.
Nirona, 40 km northwest of Bhuj, Gujarat is now the only place where this complex art form is practiced.
When castor oil is heated over fire for over 12 hours, it forms a thick residue called Rogan. To this, natural colours are added and mixed.
The rare art form is practiced by only one family, which has 3 National Awardees.
The craftsman draws intricate paintings using a 6 inch metal stylus by drawing out fine threads of this thick paste.
No table frame our any outlines are used in its execution.
The rare art form is practiced by only one family (which has 3 National Awardees)- Abdul Gafur Khatri in 1997 & 2013 and Khatri Sumar in 2003. Gafurbhai was conferred the Padma Shri in 2019.
To explain in detail, the Rogan painting involves the use of a thick paste which is prepared by boiling the oil of safflower, caster or linseed and pouring it into water.
Rogan printing is used for decorating wall hangings, table-cloth, curtains, sarees and skirt borders.
This paste is mixed with chalk colour pigment and a binding agent to form a thick dye. The painting on the cloth is done using astick rod or a metal block. Geometric and floral designs are the norm. Red, blue and yellow are the usual colours that are employed.
Rogan printing is used for decorating wall hangings, table-cloth, curtains, sarees and skirt borders.
The piece in the image is a treasured one (done by Gafurbhai) that I picked up during my visit a few years ago.
Savitha Suri is a textile enthusiast and works in documenting textile history & traditions. She lives and works from Mumbai.
emai: pravaaha.communications@gmail.com
