Block printing, also known as Bagh printing needs no introduction. But back in the 1960s, when synthetic fibre and Japanese machines were stripping it of its glory, artist Ismail Sulaiman Khatri brought it back life and the market. The artist who passed away last year was given the State and National Awards for revolutionising the art of block printing. His dream that his five children should also be a part of the ancestral art form to keep it alive has also been successful.
One of the members who has taken the legacy ahead is his son and accomplice, Umar Faruk Khatri. “We lived in a small house and the print paraphernalia would be strewn all over the place. We would take the block to make random prints on fabrics and end up spoiling many pieces of cloth. We were scolded a lot,” chuckles Umar.
Umar narrates another incident when his brother wanted a corporate job, but Ismail was against it. “My father was not supportive because he wanted his sons to take forward Bagh art. He wanted people to know and recognise the art form. My father never gave up on Bagh, even though other artisans did,” he says.
The bagh printing is not a cakewalk. The fabric is soaked overnight before it is stamped and soaked again in a paste of goat droppings, raw salt, castor oil and water. It is laid on a slope to dry, washed with water again and is ready to be printed on. It is followed by another round of washing and drying after which it is put in a pot containing a mix of Dhawadi flowers, Alzarin and Tapai. It is dried one last time before it’s complete. “In an annual production of 40,000 metres of fabric, around 8,000 metres have errors. Out of that, we manage to treat around 6,000 with different techniques. The rest is passed on to our family,” he adds.
Ismail Khatri had taught bagh printing to over 2,000 artisans. In due course, they set up their own workshops. “We had 33 workshops but now we are left with 12. It has been declining since 2007,” says Umar.
Apart from exhibiting his works across the country, he has also taken his craft to Greece and South America. “I attend exhibitions because I want people to understand and respect the art form. My father worked till the end of his days, supervising things even when he couldn't walk around much. I am also passionate that way,” he explains.
The bagh collection is on display at Sanginee, Alwarpet till October 31. For details, call 04445102222.