Glimpse of rare art at Karigar Haat

KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a couple of them to US President Barack Obama in 2014.Now, people in Kolkata will get to experience how the rare Rogan paintings are made.
An ancient Persian art form, only one family in the Kutch region of Gujarat has continued with it. Jabbar Khatri and his son M J Khatri are now participating in the Karigar Haat at Salt Lake Central Park to inform people how these intricate paintings are made using castor oil and vegetable dyes.The whole process is painstaking but visitors can watch the father-son duo actually complete their paintings at the stall.
Though members of the Khatri family have received several awards, few people in other parts of the country knew of Rogan paintings till Modi gifted them to Obama. To keep the art form alive, family members are now trying to involve outsiders, particular ly women, to learn the ropes. "Our de sign `Tree of Life' has been appreciated by people, particularly foreigners. We want to keep this art form alive and are trying to teach it to outsiders. A lot of people from this part of the country are seeing us work for the first time. They are very appreciative," said Jabbar, a national award winner.
It is estimated that the Rogan form of painting is 400 years old. The designs have heavy Persian influence.Gafoorbhai Khatri, head of the Muslim family that has held on to this form, has passed on the technique and style to his children. Originally from Sindh, he has had a tough time in keeping Rogan painting from becoming a thing of the past. Other families gave up after Partition and took to other trades. Jabbar isn't sure how long his family can continue.
"We have not only got this unique form to Kolkata, an organic fashion label called Deshaj has been launched.Nearly 2,000 women from tribal and backward communities are involved in this. They are not only making a living but keeping the art forms alive," said Sonali Chakraborty , secretary, Art Illuminates Mankind (AIM) that organised the fair.