Meeting artisan Gopal Chippa from Rajasthan was such a refreshing change. When most second and third generation artisans are moving to cities to find jobs, here is Gopal — an M.Com graduate with a degree in fashion designing, choosing to continue with the family tradition of hand-block printing.
He was at the Mother Earth Store in Mantri Mall, Malleshwaram, as part of the store’s Artisan Week and also to promote the store’s new range, the Indigo Collection, which uses fabrics Gopal created.
He occupies a prominent place in the centre of the store with a table laden with all raw material he uses for block printing — turmeric, gum, horse-shoe, dried flower leaves, pomegranate skin powder, and alum, natural fabric and wooden blocks.
He also patiently answers shoppers who are curious about his table and is pleased when he sees their curiosity turns to awe as he points out the finished products on the shelves.
“I am so excited so will my people back home when they see the designs with our work. The reason why I am in this field is simply because I have many other families that are dependent on my talents, work and my factory. I work with my elder brother. I am educated, so I can do anything to support myself. But I want to continue with the family tradition and also use all my knowledge to promote this ancient craft.”
“Earlier the exposure was so scarce that many middlemen exploited the crafts persons. But, today there is a drastic change — maybe because of our exposure or our education. My father and grandfather who were into this craft, supplied fabric and sold only locally. But I have been lucky to pave the way for export. This happened because of my education and also my work experience in garment industries in the past,” says this 25-year-old.
Now, he travels across the country demonstrating his work and explaining to people the importance of hand block printing, natural fabric and dyes.
“Did you know that horse shoe gives black colour? It’s burnt, then we put it in water with jaggery for 15 to 20 days. The black colour comes from the water in which the horseshoe is soaked. The colour initially is very pale, it is steamed with copper to make it darker. We use alum for red colour.”
“The specialty of this art is that it is all natural — the fabric, colours and the work.” Though he watched his family working on block printing since he was a child, he says it was only when he turned 17 that his father formally trained him in the craft.
Gopal and his brother work with others from his hometown to supply block printed fabric on silk, jute and cotton abroad.
They create fabric for upholstery, dress material, saris, bed covers, and lungis.
Now, he is single but adds: “When and if I do get married and have children, I will surely educate them but will also introduce and teach them this beautiful family craft. I cannot force them, but dream that this tradition continues. Who knows, they may take it further.”
Gopal can be contacted on radhikatextiles@gmail.com or srivrindavan@rediffmail.com
