YouTube Channel: All About People (Grisha Shah)
This video features an in-depth conversation with Mr. Ashish Kansara, a master Rogan Art artist based in Bhuj, Kutch. The interview explores the precision, history, and meditative nature of this rare 1,500-year-old art form.
Key Highlights from the Interview
-
The Essence of Rogan Art: Unlike traditional painting that uses brushes, Rogan Art is performed using a metal rod. The paint is made from a “drying oil” base (typically castor oil) mixed with pigments. The artist never touches the fabric with the tool; instead, the colour moves through the air from the rod to the cloth [00:03:12].
-
Historical Origins: Mr. Kansara clarifies common misconceptions about Rogan Art’s origins. While many believe it came from Persia, he cites Japanese and UNESCO research showing evidence of this “drying oil technique” in 5th-century Buddhist paintings in Bamiyan, Afghanistan [00:31:39].
-
A Race Against Time: One of the most challenging aspects of Rogan Art is the drying time. The artist must complete a piece within 1 to 1.5 hours before the oil dries. If they miss this window, the signature “mirroring” technique—where the fabric is folded to print the design onto the other side—will fail, and the entire piece is ruined [00:06:39].
-
The Artist’s Journey: Mr. Kansara began his journey in the 1990s out of financial necessity. However, over 28 years, it transformed into a deep passion, especially after learning about its connection to ancient Buddhist traditions [00:10:11].
-
Art as Meditation: He describes his work process as a form of deep focus. He works in the “golden period” between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, without music or distractions, completely immersed in the creation process [00:13:16].
-
Preserving a Rare Legacy: Today, Rogan Art is extremely rare, practiced by only a few families in Kutch. Mr. Kansara emphasizes that while machine printing has hurt the traditional market, the value of handmade art lies in the “Anand” (joy) and peace it brings to both the creator and the viewer [00:26:33].
Video Breakdown by Timestamps
-
[00:01:06] – What is Rogan Art and how it different from normal painting.
-
[00:02:42] – The specific oils used (Castor, Linseed, Walnut, and Poppy seed oil).
-
[00:04:13] – Why the art is now almost exclusively found in Kutch.
-
[00:05:54] – The technical process: Folding the cloth and the “Rogan Print” technique.
-
[00:14:05] – Dealing with distractions and the need for total isolation while working.
-
[00:17:19] – Differences in how Indians (particularly from India) vs. Foreigners perceive the art.
-
[00:22:21] – Why you don’t actually need to know how to draw to learn Rogan Art.
-
[00:32:56] – The Sanskrit origin of the word “Rogan” (from Rangan).