Rogan Art: An Extinct Art Form Of India I Blog By Sakshi,15,Thane
Sakshi, a 15-year-old from Thane, wrote a blog about Rogan art, a 300-year-old painting tradition from Kutch, which was revived by Abdul Gafur Khatri. Preserving such crafts is vital for India’s heritage.
Rogan Art: An Extinct Art Form Of India
“Gujarat: A Land of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Hard Work.”
Gujarat, known as “The Jewel of the West,” is a land of exotic culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable people. It is renowned for its textile production in India, with Surat being the textile hub of Asia. Various traditional printing methods, such as Ajrakh, Patola, and Bandhani, are used. One of the most captivating art forms is Rogan art, which is now on the verge of extinction.
What is Rogan Art ?
“Rogan art, locally known as ‘Rogani Kam’, is an oil-based painting technique that traces its roots to Persia. It has been practiced in India for over 300 years, particularly in the Kutch region of Gujarat. Rogan art is known for its vibrant colors, intricate details, and beautiful designs. Creating a single piece requires a great deal of patience and skill.”
What is the history behind Rogan Art ?
Rogan art was primarily practiced by the Muslim descendants of the Afridis and was also known as Peshawari Lac or Afridi Lac. Traditionally, Rogan art was used by women to decorate their bridal dresses; over time, it expanded to include home decor and accessories. The design for these dresses was called ‘Popat Girnar.’ Rogan art was a seasonal practice, limited to the wedding season. For the rest of the year, artisans would shift their focus to agriculture.
How is Rogan art done ?
Rogan art is created using a mould known as ‘Brass Biba.’ A unique feature of this printing method is that the design is applied to half of the fabric, which can then be folded or pressed against another piece to create a second impression of the same design. The mould used for the painting is made by carving patterns into it. The intricate designs are applied freehand by trailing paint threads on the palms. First, castor oil is boiled for two days, with vegetable pigments and binding agents added to give it a glossy appearance. This paint is then applied to the fabric using a stylus. Creating a single piece of Rogan art can take days, weeks, or even months. The colour pigments are made naturally using elements like stones, trees, leaves, flowers, and more. Dark-coloured fabrics are typically preferred to accentuate the vibrant colours.
Extinction and revival of Rogan art:
Rogan art was thriving 20 years ago, but it began to decline in the 1990s with the advent of mass-produced printed clothing. The introduction of the power loom further reduced the demand for Rogan art, and it became restricted to only a few families. However, individuals like Abdul Gafur Khatri have managed to preserve this art form. He started by training just 20 women in the craft, and today, he is known as the ‘King of Rogan Art’.
Awards received by Abdul Khatri:
He was awarded the National Art Certificate in 1988, the State Award in 1989, the National Award in 1997, the State Certificate in 2013, and the Padma Shri in 2019. In 2014, Prime Minister Modi gifted the ‘Tree of Life’ painting to Barack Obama. This painting also earned Abdul Khatri the Gujarat Award for Tourism in 2021. Recently, Queen Margrethe of Denmark purchased an orange ‘Tree of Life’ painting from Abdul Khatri.
India is home to a vast array of art forms, many of which remain unknown to us. In this era of fast printing and machinery, we must not forget our cultural roots and traditional arts. Many artists earn their livelihood through these art forms, while some have already gone extinct. Therefore, preserving art forms like Rogan art is crucial, as it is a source of pride for India.
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Photo Credit – Copyright Free, Royalty Free generated images from Canva Dream Labs
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