Workshop on Natural Dyeing at Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) Kashmir
In a bid to give colours to a romantic heritage of Natural dyeing, a reputed craftisan from Jaipur shared his expert guidance to stakeholders at Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) campus in Srinagar.
Inaugurated by Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, a 3 day awareness workshop cum training program on natural dyeing kickstarted was organised at the campus for carpet technology in Ali Mardan khan, Nowshera srinagar.
The state engaged one of the reputed craft persons from the field Badshah Miya from Jaipur, Rajasthan, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field of Natural dyeing and is also a recipient of Shilip Guru and National award.
Practical demonstrations and sample development of natural dyeing on different types of raw materials in the handicrafts and handloom sector were the major training components in the three day program. The event addressed the technicalities of organic dyeing such as colour fastness,shade matching, availability of standard quality of natural dyes.
Besides Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director IICT Zubair Ahmad, Joint Director Handloom Nargis Suraya, President FCIK Shahid Kamili, Rouf Punjabi Ex president KCCI, participants from CDI, MEERAS society, TAHAFUZ society, Kashmir carpet cluster development along with some of the leading exporters, dyers, artisans associated with the field were present on the first day of the workshop.
The objective of the workshop was to create awareness among the stakeholders regarding the importance of natural dyeing in today’s competitive market where the customers are more keen on demanding sustainable products. The workshop also cast a light on the fact that the home furnishing labels and designers are taking concern to the potential harms posed by the synthetic dyes to the ecology and the environment.
There is a pressing need to find ways of using and enhancing naturally sourced products or synthetic dyes from natural starting material which could also be natural-synthetic hybrids, GM natural dyes.
Cover image by Rising Kashmir
