Traditional Rogan Art

The technique of painting on fabric using thick vibrant coloured paint made with castor seed oil is called as the Rogan technique. In Kachch, where castor is a local crop, the artisans there use a small amount of it to paint masterpieces.

The Rogan tradition is kept alive by the two families in Nirona Village. The craft of making the paintings by folding the design in a blank fabric to print the mirror image of the same grew over the years. Khatri muslim community has been doing the Rogan art on costumes that the local animal herders wore.

When the tradition ceased to exist, it was revived again and sustained. The main theme of the artwork is based on the concept : the tree of life. The families who put the tradition back on track have been awarded for preserving it and going on to make beautiful Rogan art pieces.

One can go visit the village which is about 40 kms from Bhuj and have a look at the intricately designed paintings and buy them.