Exploring the Art of Natural Dyes: A Sustainable Creative Journey

Studio Co-ordinator: Tanya Vaidhya

Saee Patil

In a recent course, participants delved into the vibrant world of natural dyes, a sustainable alternative to conventional drawing and expression. Using plant-based dyes, this immersive experience introduced eco-friendly techniques for creating art on fabric, emphasizing creativity through methods like dipping, tying, painting, and blotching. Unlike paints, natural dyes work in layers, allowing artists to build complex colors as each layer dries, resulting in unique hues and textures. This approach not only fosters artistic expression but also aligns with environmentally conscious practices.

The course divided participants into three groups of four, with some working individually. Each received a piece of khadi cloth and was encouraged to draw familiar designs, focusing on experimentation rather than perfection. Five plant-based dyes were used: Manjishta, Harda fruit, Harda flower, Haldi, and Indigo. These raw materials—stems, fruits, and flowers—were pounded, boiled, and crushed into a powder. The powder underwent fermentation with agents like chuna, jaggery, or ferrous sulphate to enhance color vibrancy. Fermentation, a critical step, could last from two weeks to a year, with longer periods yielding richer tones. Factors like smell, taste, and color signaled readiness, with the process varying by season—slower in winter and monsoon, faster in summer.

Once fermented, the dye transformed into a liquid, ready for use. Participants could further manipulate hues by boiling the dye with water for darker tones or diluting it for lighter shades. The studio buzzed with creativity as participants applied dyeing techniques to their fabrics, observing how each method produced distinct color variations. This hands-on exploration highlighted the beauty of natural dyes, blending sustainability with artistic innovation, and left participants inspired to continue experimenting with this eco-conscious art form.