Rogan Art of the Kutch, Gujarat is a world famous art form. When we talk about the artisans of the Rogan Art, Ashish Kansara from Madhapar Bhuj Kutch emerges as an inspirational example for the next generation.
Ashish carries the legacy of his grandfather
Ashish, the son of Kaushalyaben Shantilal Kansara and grandson of Jamnadas Kansara, had not much interest in study but interest in exploring new things. He went occasionally with his grandfather at many places. His grandfather Jamanadas Kansara very well knew the Rogan Art and Ashish learnt from him but his grandfather could not continue the art due to family responsibility. His father also could not do the Rogan Art. In spite of many ups and downs Ashish firmly keeps on Rogan Art.
Inspired by the wall paintings of Bamiyan Budhdha
When Ashish Kansara reads about the oldest footprints of the Rogan Art that belongs to the 5th to 6th century, he gets the idea to introduce new figures in Rogan Art. Rogan artisans traditionally paint the design of the `Tree of life/ Kalpvriksh ‘. Inspired by the Rogan Art wall painting of Buddha by Buddhist disciples in the caves of Bamiyan, Afghanistan, Ashish introduces figures of God and Goddesses in the Rogan Art. He revives the figures of Gods in his Rogan painting.
Ashish revives new figures in Rogan Art
Ashish starts innovative designs with the traditional Rogan Art designs. He has started Rogan painting of recent events like Ayodhya Ram Mandir Rogan painting, Ram Darbar painting, Yoga Day painting, Meditative Buddha, Indian national Emblem painting, Chandrayaan, Operation Sindoor painting, God and Goddesses painting and many more new designs. He also paints figures of cricketers on T-shirts like the figure of Sachin Tendulkar.
Master of different forms of Rogan Arts
Rogan Art has different forms of painting like Rogan Chhap, Varnika Rogan Chhap and Nirmika Rogan Chhap. He has the inherited old metal moulds which are used for Rogan Chhap . He skillfully applies the additional colours and jari powder and abarakh(mica) on the Rogan painted designs and gives the shiny looks to the Rogan designs. These three forms require patience, skill and perfection. He has saved the old metallic moulds used by his grandparents.
Research paper on Ashish’s Rogan Arts
Inspired by the Rogan Arts of Ashish a master degree student of Baou, Asmita Soni has presented the research on his Arts in Kutch University. She has also described the literary description of the ”Rogan Art Drying Oil Technique” in front of the professors, guests and the students showing her poster and explaining the research of the Rogan Arts1.
Ashish’s supportive system Komal Ashish
Komal Ashish Kansara, the wife of Ashish is really the supportive side in his life. After marriage with Ashish she has learned the Rogan Art from his husband and helps him in reviving the Art. It is a very surprising fact that in the traditional Rogan Art there is not any female artisan of Rogan Art. Ashish starts teaching Rogan Art to his wife and she becomes the first female Rogan artisan. She gifted the Ram Darbar Rogan painting to the PM Shree Narendra Modi on his visit to Bhuj Kutch in August 2022. She handles all the activities of Rogan Art with Ashish, customers and housewife responsibility.
Ashish has the authorised user certificate of GI
Ashish has inherited the Rogan Arts from his grandfather. He has more than thirty five years experience of doing Rogan Arts. He is the master artisan of the Rogan Arts. He has achieved the certificate of authorised user of GI under Section 17(3)(e). in respect of Kutch Rogan Craft. It is a big achievement for an artisan to get this certificate.
Ashish’s workshops of Rogan Arts in school and colleges
The future of the Rogan Arts is shiny . The Art revives its graceful history. Ashish tries to encourage people about the Rogan Arts. Ashish and Komal both held workshops of the Rogan Arts in different cities’ schools and colleges. He arranges the demonstration of the Art in university also. Other than these many students come to his home for their project work that is given by the colleges. Ashish wants to make people aware about the years old Art.
Rogan Art is not just an art but it’s a passion and prestigious heritage. Ashish Kansara keeps on Rogan Art in its authentic method , maintains the heritage, revives and propagates the Rogan Art for the upcoming generation.
References
- Soni, Asmita (3 May 2025). “Rogan Art Drying Oil Technique“. Shanti e Journal of Research. 14 (53): 421 ↩︎
