Roman Art -Nirona

Rogan Art –

This painting is famously known as Rogan kam. This is an intricate and skilful painting that is done on inexpensive textiles using a thick paste of castor oil and colour. The technique lent a unique identity to this basic craft.  The artworks become beautiful with time and complement the basic texture. The elements used are earthy and hence they are environmentally friendly. The process itself is so beautiful that a viewer is captivated by the instinctive yet calculated moves of craftsmen which help in imparting colour to the fabric.

Usage –

Rogan painting is a seasonal craft that is utilized to make various traditional attire like Ghagras, lehenga, odhani, dupatta, Chabla, ta and other household items like pillow covers, quilts, bedsheets and other fabrics. These fabrics are the main constituents of fabrics.  Rogan-painted fabrics are required during mandatory rituals. Over time, these fabrics are being put to commercial use and products like sarees, bed covers and even wall hangings.

Significance –

This Rogan painting comes from agriculture, which is the major occupation of the village. The colours being used draws a natural connection to the craft as the main ingredient of colours that are used to make the craft.  The raw materials for this craft are easily available and it is less hassle. The outline of the design is painted over fabric, and it can be folded or pressed against the fabric. This gives a second impression of the same design.  Replicating designs, also ensure that paint sticks well to the surface.

History -·       

Example of the union of civilizations in beaming history of India·       

• Craft history date back to many centuries·
• This art travelled from North-western regions -Persia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. ·       
• Practices by muslin descendants of Africa.
• · Castor oil, primary raw material is associated with craft·      
•   The process of extraction is tedious.     
• The process slowly spread to other areas and settled down nomadic tribes. ·       
• Necessary for women to wear Rogan painted Ghana during marriage time·       
• Patterns and motifs resemble their embroidery patterns·       
• This craft is practiced by one family in Nirona.

Design-      

• The motifs and patterns used in Rogan’s paintings consists of both traditional and contemporary.
•     General features are curvilinear patterns repeated geometrically·
•    Linear forms and symmetry are created by the double impression which is done by folding and peeling cloth that leaves a mirror image·       
• Pool (flower), Tristan, versus (wavy border motif) and JHS trees are the oldest found motifs. ·       
• The objects like animals, trees, humans and objects like bangles make artistic appearances in designs. ·       
• Contemporary motifs like circular, concentric patterns, motifs forming architectural part. ·       
• Fabric consists of thick and multi layered borders which are filled with intricate and repeated motifs. ·
• This leads up to large geometric central motif·       
• Wall hanging done in Rogan style feature instances from daily life of villagers, resplendent with trees, cattle and birds. 

Challenge –     

• The process of cooking castor oil is a risky process and dine with utmost care so to avoid fire accidents.       
• Odour and fumes emitted are harmful to the workers·       
• Two or three natural colours being used in the paintings are poisonous if consumed and require extreme caution. ·       
• With the onset of screen printing, demand for Rogan painting had lessened.
• This has led to great decline in its practice so much that only one member carried out this craft.