Rogan Chhap – The Traditional Freehand Rogan Art Painting

What is Rogan Chhap?
Rogan Chhap is the most well-known style of Rogan art painting. It is a traditional and freehand method where artists create designs directly on fabric without any tools or stencils. This art form is very old, about 1,550 years, and it comes from Kutch, Gujarat. The designs are made using a special paste called Rogan, which is made from castor oil and natural colors. Rogan Chhap – Rogan Art Painting.

Rogan painting has three main styles. The first style is called Rogan Chhap (traditional Rogan painting). The second style is called Nirmika Rogan Chhap (Nirmika Rogan printing). The third style is called Varnika Rogan Chhap (Varnika Rogan painting). Today, the first style, Rogan Chhap, is very popular and many artists in Madhapar, Kutch, Gujarat, make this type of Rogan painting. The second and third styles, Nirmika Chhap and Varnika Chhap, are very special. Only Ashish Kansara, an artist from Madhapar, practices these styles. Ashish Kansara is the only artist who knows how to do all three types of Rogan painting.

How is Rogan Chhap Done?

The process of Rogan Chhap is beautiful and detailed. It starts with preparing the paste. Castor oil is boiled for three to four hours until it becomes thick. Then, natural pigments and chalk powder are added to make colorful Rogan paste.

The artist takes a small amount of this paste using a thin metal rod. The paste is softened by rubbing it on the palm of the hand. Then, the artist starts drawing the design on one side of the fabric. The design is made freehand with steady and careful movements.

Once one side of the design is ready, the fabric is folded carefully. By pressing the fabric gently, the design is transferred to the other side, making it symmetrical. After this, the fabric is opened and placed under sunlight to dry. Once dried, small details like dots and fine lines are added to make the design look more beautiful.

Why is Rogan Chhap Special?

Rogan Chhap is special because it is handmade and every piece is unique. The designs are often inspired by nature, like flowers, leaves, or trees, and they show the amazing skill of the artist. This style is mostly used for making wall hangings, sarees, and other fabric items