Unveiling the Antiquity: Rogan Oil Painting as Early Oil Art
Rogan Painting is a magnificent craft from India, The Drying Oil Technique. Historically verified estimates date this process to over 1,550 years ago, positioning Rogan Art as a remarkable example of Early Oil Art and the world’s most ancient surviving oil painting tradition. Archaeological evidence indicates that the world’s oldest known oil paintings were discovered in the Bamiyan caves of Afghanistan, dating back to the 5th or 6th century AD, by UNESCO and Japanese scanties. These remarkable works depict Buddhist religious imagery and showcase an early mastery of oil-based painting methods long before the technique appeared in Europe. Researchers have identified the use of a “drying oil technique,” or “Rogan Oil Painting,” which mixing natural pigments with plant-based oils to create durable and vivid colours. This ancient method is today known as the “Rogan oil painting technique,” a traditional art form still practiced in regions like Madhapar Kutch, India. The discovery of these Bamiyan paintings, how the origins of oil painting to India, revealing a deep and interconnected history of artistic innovation that continues to traditional crafts such as Rogan art. The art form derives its name is ‘Rogan’—a specialized, thick oil paste created by intensely boiling castor oil, which is then intricately trailed onto fabric using a metal stylus. This method of applying a fine, floating thread of paint results in a glossy, highly durable, and distinctively tactile finish. Rogan painting Patliputra, Bihar to Bamiyan, Afghanistan and Gujarat.
The persistence of this textile heritage is underscored by its status as a Geographical Indication (GI) craft of Kutch. The village of Madhapar, located approximately ten minutes from the administrative centre of Bhuj, has naturally become the commercial epicentre of the craft. This accessibility has been crucial for developing institutional support, such as the Rogan Art Kutch Trust, and scaling production to meet modern tourism and global market demands.
The 1,550-Year History – World Oldest Oil Painting Technique
The lineage of Rogan Art ‘Rogan oil painting‘ is a testament to cultural endurance, extending deep into the history of Indian painting. This 1,550-year-old technique its mastery to ancient times, with tradition stating that the original master artisans were disciples of Buddha. The historical diffusion of the drying oil method is linked to regions stretching from Patliputra (Bihar) to Bamiyan in Afghanistan, validating its status as a multi-millennial art.
In modern Gujarat, the custodianship of this ancient art is held by the Buddha’s Disciples and Kshatriya community and, most prominently, the Ashish Kansara Family in Madhapar. This family has devoted itself to preserving the art and is recognized as an authorized user of the GI tag. They maintain proficiency in all three classical Rogan styles: the exquisite Freehand Rogan Painting (Rogan Chhap); the pattern-based Nirmika Rogan Printing, which utilizes block moulds; and the richly detailed Varnika Rogan Painting, which incorporates embellishments.
The determination to preserve the craft was born out of economic necessity. Rogan painting was traditionally seasonal, focusing on decorative apparel, such as the Rogan Art lehenga, purchased primarily by Hindu lower castes for weddings. The influx of cheap, machine-made textiles in the late 20th century rendered the labour-intensive Rogan products economically vulnerable, pushing the art toward near extinction. The Kansara family’s ongoing dedication has been vital in transforming this traditional secret into a viable industry.
The Material Science: Crafting the Rogan Oil Paste
The uniqueness of Rogan Art lies entirely in its material composition—a specialized oil paint demanding precise creation and application. The manufacturing process begins with castor seed oil as the base, though other drying oils like linseed are technically possible.
Thermal Polymerization: The Foundation of the Paste
To achieve the necessary viscosity, the castor oil is intensely heated over an earthen furnace (chula, sagadi). This process of thermal polymerization typically requires boiling for a minimum of 8–12 hours. The result is ‘Rogan’—a thick, sticky, jelly-like residue that is the adhesive and glossy base of the paint. Due to the strong, pungent fumes emitted during this prolonged cooking, the work must be performed in open environments like a forest clearing.
Pigment Mixing and Usability
After cooling, the Rogan gel is combined with chalk powder to act as a crucial filler and binder, and with vibrant pigments. Historically, these colours were derived from natural sources, including plants, flowers, soil, and rocks, providing rich earth tones. The finished paste must be stored in water-filled containers, as its delicate malleability, essential for the trailing technique, is lost after only three to four days.
Table 1: Technical Components and Preparation of Rogan Paint
| Component/Phase | Material/Duration | Function/Result |
| Base Oil | Castor Oil, Linseed, Walnut, Poppyseed | Source of viscous Rogan residue (Drying Oil Technique) |
| Boiling Duration | 8–12 hours minimum | Achieves jelly-like, pliable viscosity necessary for trailing |
| Colorants/Binders | Natural Pigments (Vegetable) & Chalk Powder | Creates vibrant, glossy hues; Chalk (Calcium Carbonate) acts as a filler |
| Tools for Preparation | Chula, sagadi, (Furnace), Handio, matlu, (Container), Stone (for mixing) | Essential for high-heat boiling and ensuring proper pigment incorporation |
| Storage Method | Container filled with water | Maintains optimal wetness and malleability (usable 3–4 days) |
Application Mastery: The Freehand Trailing Technique
Rogan Art requires extreme precision, often demanding years of dedicated practice. The artisan uses a small metal rod, the tulika, as the primary drawing tool. A small portion of Rogan paste is softened on the artisan’s palm through friction and body heat before application, ensuring the paint can be successfully pulled into a continuous thread.
The central feature is the freehand trailing: the artist expertly draws complex motifs by lifting and guiding a continuous, thin strand of oil paint, floating it just above the fabric surface. This delicate process requires unwavering focus, as mistakes cannot be rectified once the paint touches the cloth.
Symmetrical Design and Traditional Styles
The foundational Mirror Technique allows the rapid creation of symmetrical designs in the classic Rogan Chhap style. The artisan paints one half of the motif, then folds the cloth down the centre line and applies gentle pressure for several minutes to transfer a perfect mirror image to the opposite side. The final piece is sun-dried for at least 24 hours for the oil paint to fully cure and bond with the textile fibbers.
Symbolic Lexicon and Motifs
The visual identity of Rogan Art is a rich fusion of Buddhism culture, Hindu culture, and authentic Kutch folk narration.
Key Motifs
The Tree of Life, known in Hindu tradition as Kalpvriksha, is the most iconic motif, symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and spiritual connection. This symbol was strategically utilized in larger wall pieces to appeal to global audiences.
Other culturally significant patterns include narrative human figures like the Mahiyarin, representing rural women churning curd, and popular floral and avian designs. Bird motifs, such as the peacock and parrot (popat gulvel), were traditionally favoured by Hindus as symbols of freedom and vitality. Notably, the geometric borders sometimes incorporate Calligraphy motifs derived from Jain cultural traditions.
Table 2: Key Traditional Rogan Motifs and Symbolic Meanings
| Motif | Cultural Source | Application | Symbolic Significance |
| Tree of Life | Kalpvriksha (Hindu religious) | Wall hangings, prestigious items, diplomatic gifts | Prosperity, connectivity, spiritual life |
| Mahiyarin | Kutch Folk Art | Ceremonial textiles, narrative compositions | Celebration of rural life and women’s roles |
| Paanferi/Phulvel | Floral/Vine Patterns | Borders, intricate filler motifs | Aesthetic beauty, natural world |
| Calligraphy | Jain cultural | Older works, geometric borders | Craftsmanship, cultural heritage |
Madhapar: The Hub of Contemporary Rogan Production
The continued viability of Rogan Art is secured by its strategic centralization in Madhapar. The One Hindu family from Madhapar, Kutch, Gujarat, who Doing All three types of Rogan oil painting, has established Madhapar as the operational nexus.
Market Accessibility and Training
Post-2001, infrastructural improvements in Kutch dramatically increased tourism, a factor Madhapar leveraged expertly. Located immediately outside the regional hub of Bhuj, Madhapar offers ease of access via shared transport to key institutional centres, including the workshops of artisans like Ashish Kansara. This strategic positioning facilitates the handling of substantial tourist traffic (up to 100 people per day) and global market engagement.
Madhapar provided the necessary spatial solution for scaling the labour pool. Training efforts led by artisans in the Madhapar area have focused on inducting local youth and women from various communities into the craft. This institutionalized training outside the traditional lineage has been essential to successfully transitioning Rogan Art from a localized secret to an economically dynamic community industry. Madhapar is cited as the GI origin, Madhapar is the functional hub where the craft’s scalability and future vitality are actively maintained. Komal Kansara is first women Rogan oil painting technique artist.
Table 3: Comparative Analysis of Rogan Art Centers in Kutch
| Center | Primary Role/Focus | Key Institutional Presence | Relevance to Contemporary Revival |
| Madhapar | Modern/tourism interface, institutional training, product diversification. | Rogan Art Kutch Trust, Ashish S Kansara | Accessible hub, crucial for meeting scalable demand, labour diversification. |
| Bhuj | Regional administrative and transit hub. | Improved infrastructure (roads, flights) post-2001. | Gateway city facilitating tourist flow and global shipping. |
Economic Vitality and Forward Outlook
The revival of the Kutch Rogan Craft provides a compelling case study for sustaining ancient handicrafts through modern economic strategies. The craft’s GI status legally protects its unique identity, serving as a powerful certificate of authenticity crucial for attracting premium art collectors and high-end markets. This legal and symbolic prestige allows artisans to command the prices necessary to sustain the labour-intensive production process.
To navigate the historical challenge of seasonal demand, contemporary artisans have successfully diversified their product lines beyond ceremonial lehengas. Today’s market includes modern items like wallets, cushion covers, Rogan art sarees, and decorative wall hangings.
The ongoing challenge lies in balancing authenticity with efficiency. While the use of natural pigments is traditional, the pressure of high demand sometimes encourages the adoption of cheaper, readymade colours. Furthermore, maintaining the transfer of the highly complex freehand oil painting skills to new generations is paramount. The long-term prosperity of Rogan Art depends on balancing its ancient secrets and material integrity with the necessary demands of scalability in a globalized market.
Conclusion
Rogan Painting, the ancient technique behind early oil art, flourishes today due to the dedication of its Madhapar custodians. This craft is a fusion of ancient material science—the creation of the unique castor oil paste—and profound kinetic skill. By leveraging its GI status and strategic location near Bhuj, the art of Kutch continues to spin a thread of cultural legacy that spans millennia. World Oldest Oil Painting technique | Rogan Art
