It was the mid 19th century when the first chemical colour got created. Before this human were only used to the colours that they extracted from nature with their own hands. They used the same to create art, to beautify oneself, to colour their clothes etc. They used coloured earth, minerals, plant extracts to create complex yet beautiful processes to express themselves through art of different forms. These art forms were passed on to their next generations.

At the workshop, you will be introduced to the locally available ingredients that can be used for dyeing at the workshop. We will be making samples using two ingredients Manjista and Katachu. The lovely brown from Katachu and red from Majista are colours you’d be making from nature derived ingredients. Perfect workshop with the environment day around.

The workshop will introduce you to these natural colours and you will explore the basics of hand block printing, dyeing using natural materials available around you. It is going to be a fun informative session. Come ready to get your hands dirty. It will cover the following.
Understanding natural dyes and its properties, block printing practices in India.
Identifying locally available materials
Preparing the fabric for dyeing/ mordanting.
Practice dyeing using two local materials.
How to extract colours and how to use them as dye and as colour paste for block printing.
Techniques of block printing, practice printing using wooden blocks.
Printing on tablecloth to take home.
Post treatment of fabric.

Take home a ready kit to get started immediately.