Rogan Art
Traditional Cloth Painting with Castor Oil
Overview
Rogan Art is an extremely rare textile painting technique practiced by only one family in the world - the Khatri family of Nirona village in Kutch. The word 'Rogan' comes from Persian, meaning varnish or oil. This 300-year-old craft involves creating intricate designs using a thick, colored paste made from castor oil, applied with a metal rod without any brushes.
History
Rogan painting originated in Persia and came to India around 300 years ago. The craft was brought to Kutch by Muslim artisans and has been preserved by the Khatri family through eight generations. By the 1980s, only one practitioner remained - Abdul Gafur Khatri. His dedication has revived this dying art, and today his sons continue this precious heritage.
Unique Technique
Rogan Art uses a paint made by boiling castor oil for two days until it becomes a thick, sticky paste. Natural dyes are mixed into this paste to create vibrant colors. The artisan uses a metal rod to pick up tiny amounts of paint and creates designs by manipulating the paste with half the cloth. The cloth is then folded, transferring a mirror image to create perfectly symmetrical patterns - a technique called 'waraq'.
Abdul Gafur Khatri - Living Legend
Abdul Gafur Khatri is the 8th generation Rogan artist and the man who single-handedly saved this craft from extinction. His work has been presented to international leaders including Barack Obama and Prince Charles. He was awarded the UNESCO Award of Excellence and Padma Shri for his contribution to preserving this unique art form.
Traditional Motifs
- •Tree of Life - the most iconic Rogan design
- •Peacocks and parrots
- •Floral patterns and mandala designs
- •Paisley motifs
- •Geometric borders
- •Animals and nature-inspired themes
The Process
- •Boil castor oil for 48 hours to create thick paste
- •Mix natural pigments to create vibrant colors
- •Use metal stylus to pick up tiny amounts of paint
- •Create design on half the fabric with flowing movements
- •Fold fabric to transfer mirror image
- •Let it dry naturally for several days
- •Each piece takes several hours to weeks depending on intricacy
Why It's Special
Rogan Art is one of the world's rarest crafts. Only the Khatri family in Nirona village practices it today. Unlike other textile arts, Rogan uses no brushes - the entire design is created with a metal rod. The paint never fades, remaining vibrant for generations. The symmetrical folding technique is unique to Rogan Art.
Buying Tips
- •Visit Nirona village to buy directly from the Khatri family
- •Authentic Rogan Art comes only from this one family
- •Prices range from ₹2,000 to ₹50,000+ depending on size and intricacy
- •Large Tree of Life pieces can take months to complete
- •Each piece is one-of-a-kind and comes with authenticity certificate
- •Smaller items like bookmarks and coasters are available for ₹500-2,000
Price Range
₹500 - ₹50,000+ depending on size and intricacy. Small pieces like bookmarks (₹500-1,000), wall hangings (₹2,000-10,000), and large masterpieces (₹20,000-50,000+). Investment pieces by Abdul Gafur Khatri command premium prices.
👨🎨Artisan Information
Villages & Centers
- 📍Nirona
Workshop Information
Visit the Khatri family workshop in Nirona village. Abdul Gafur Khatri and his sons welcome visitors and demonstrate the technique. Prior appointment recommended but walk-ins are usually accommodated.
Quick Facts
Only one family in the entire world practices Rogan Art today
The craft was nearly extinct in the 1980s with only one practitioner
Barack Obama received a Rogan Art piece as a state gift in 2015
The paint is made from castor oil boiled for 48 hours continuously
No brushes are used - everything is done with a metal rod
A single large piece can take up to 6 months to complete
The paint never fades and lasts for generations
UNESCO has recognized it as intangible cultural heritage
Gallery
