The rogan master

Abdul Gafur Khatri On Keeping The Legacy Of Rogan Art Alive

Aarushi Anand, XII D & Amulya Chaudhary, X A, AIS Vas 1
 
Art is a way of love, a way of life, and a way of presenting the historical legacy that can pertain. Abdul Gafur Khatri believes exactly that. A Padma Shri Rogan artist from Gujarat, he has been working hard to sustain the art he inherited from his forefathers. From being gifted by the PM of India to former US president Obama, to being admired by millions, Khatri’s art has made a name for itself in the world. Here’s what he has to say about that.

The inception of art
Rogan is a Persian word for castor oil, and for Rogan art, castor oil is burnt for two-three days until it becomes jelly-like. After that, it is mixed with pigment colours to create the final paint. The cloth is first folded to make a mid-line and then the artist starts drawing with a steel stylus on one half, only to fold it and press the pattern over the other half as well. The design is made on the cloth freehand, and the artist can draw any design that comes to his/her mind.

The challenges of art
My whole journey has been filled with challenges. When I decided to preserve this artform, I used to work 10 hours a day. In fact, my father used to scold me for working this hard, but I knew my purpose. Even today, I work at least seven hours a day on my artistry. With the wake of digitalisation, I see a lot of paintings being sold in the name of Rogan art, which has led to a number of real artworks being left unsold. Even noted artists have copied our work to mint money, and those not familiar with real Rogan art can easily be fooled. Another challenge of the artform is training women, because until recently, women were not allowed to practice Rogan art. It was in 2010 that we started camps for women and till now, we have trained around 250-300 women residing in our nearby area.

The change in art
Originally, Rogan was a form of work done on cloth, but we have now shaped it into a bigger art form. Intricacy in the work of the art was not so common back in the day, but we now try to create intricate art. We now even try to use wool and hand-woven clothes instead of synthetic ones. Inspiration also plays a vital role, because it was my visit to Delhi, where I witnessed the beauty of mosques from the Mughal period, that inspired me to make the Tree of Life series. I am so thankful that PM Modi decided to gift it to Barack Obama, recognising the Rogan art on a global platform.

The preservation of art
People need to understand the significance of preserving artforms and should not leave their inheritance of art behind. The artforms of India are a true reflection of fine work coupled with immense patience. Rogan art is also one such artform, and I wish to open a university for people interested in learning about it. With the help of the government, I am certain I can achieve this. We also have a website to engage the online crowd– www.roganartnirona.com

The message of art
I would advise all the students to dig deeper into their culture and to find appreciation for it. I want them to spread awareness about Rogan art, so that future generations can also witness its brilliance and beauty.

A mysterious world

Synopsis: The story is narrated through the eyes of Alina Starkov, a teenage girl who lives in an orphanage in Keramzin, a fictional kingdom of Ravka. The story begins with Alina, accompanied by her friend Malyen, marching through the Unsea (also called the Shadow Fold), which is a dark, barren strip of land cutting most of Ravka off from the sea. Whenever expeditions are sent across the Fold to transport goods and bring back imports, these are often destroyed by monsters called Volcra that inhabit the Unsea. It is during this journey and while battling an attack from the Volcra that Alina displays an extraordinary Grisha talent. The Grisha are people with the ability to manipulate the elements, for example calling fire, summoning wind, regulating hearts, etc., which can then be used as weapons. Alina is blessed with the ability to summon light and is thus considered a Sun Summoner, however, there are some who think she is a saint and her sole purpose is to destroy the Shadow Fold. With her powers discovered, Alina is plunged into a whole new world, one that she had only heard of in stories.
Why it is worth reading: The book lays bare an entirely new world full of mystery, deception, and sacrifice. While reading it, you’ll be fascinated by every twist and turn and would only wish to dive deeper into the mysteries of Ravka. The book proves that folk tales can be more than just fiction and even more importantly, that hope is something that cannot be destroyed by deceit and loss.
Iconic quote: “The problem with wanting is, that it makes us weak.”
Rating: 5/5
Review by: Ananya Mittal
AIS Vasundhara 6, XII D