MADHAPAR: The historical lineage of Kutch Rogan painting has reached a historic milestone in the academic world. In recognition of a lifelong devotion to preserving one of India’s rarest textile arts, master artisan Ashish Shantilal Kansara has been officially conferred with an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) degree. The prestigious honor was presented by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, during the 24th grand convocation ceremony of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow.1
1,550-year-old traditional Kutch Rogan craft.
This doctorate celebrates Dr. Kansara’s deep technical expertise and structural contributions to safeguarding the 1,550-year-old traditional Kutch Rogan craft. Descending from a traditional craftsmanship lineage and trained by his grandfather, Jamnadas Vastaram Kansara, he has dedicated decades to maintaining the absolute purity of this ancient “liquid thread” technique.2
Three traditional dimensions of the Kutch Rogan craft
Dr. Kansara remains one of the few living exponents possessing full mastery over all three traditional dimensions of the craft: freehand Rogan painting, the rare brass-mold printing known as Nirmika Rogan Chhap, and the classical Varnika embellished style. Operating out of Madhapar village near Bhuj, Dr. Kansara is also legally recognized by the Government of India as an Authorized User of the Geographical Indication Tag for Kutch Rogan Craft (Registration No: AU/35946/GI/718/1). Together with his wife, Komal Kansara, who heads community training initiatives, they have successfully opened the craft to empower local women, ensuring the preservation of this exquisite heritage for generations to come.
