All things bright, natural and beautiful

[Frederick [FN] Noronha * फ्रेडरिक नोरोंया]

http://www.thehindu.com/yw/2007/06/15/stories/2007061550290600.htm

All things bright, natural and beautiful

SANGEETHA DEVI K.

Go in for natural dyes that are eco friendly.

Did you know that the original dye used for Levi's blue denims was Indigo? Prior to the use of synthetic and chemical dyes for the garment industry, Indigo was the source of dyes in various shades of blue. Indigo is one of the oldest natural dyes known to man. Today, though, most of the Indigo dye produced is synthetic. The awareness towards natural dyes, nevertheless, is on the rise thanks to more youngsters taking to handloom garments that employ natural dyes. Weav ers in different parts of the country – Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Munnar in Kerala and Kumaon for example – specialise in using natural dyes on handloom fabrics. The source of these dyes presents an interesting study. Plants, vegetables and fruits in your backyard can be mixed and matched to get different shades.

Turmeric, in powdered or paste form, and boiled pomegranate seeds and peels, are mixed together to arrive at shades of yellow. The dye on the fabric depends each time the fabric is dipped into the liquid dye. Marigold flowers can also be used for yellow colours.

Nuts and leaves

Soapnuts and skins of onions are used in combination with other plants to get mustard and green colours. Tea plantations in Munnar are tapped by voluntary organisations in that area. Tea leaves, used along with walnut and other plants, give shades of light and deep brown.

A combination of indigo dye, turmeric and the rind of pomegranates give green or hara dhania colour. Some villages in AP use a mixture of jaggery and iron to arrive at black.

Organisations like Avani in Kumaon (Uttaranchal) and Dastkar Andhra employ weavers who specialise in the use of natural dyes. Carpet weavers of Eluru, Kalamkari block printers from Kalahasti, Chittoor, and weavers from Adilabad and Chinnur work as co-operative societies and manufacture products made from natural dyes.

Rural women in the Chettinad area of Tamil Nadu use dyes made from turmeric, green gram, pomegranate and other fruits and vegetables on cane products. They deftly weave trendy bags, baskets and pen holders using strips of cane that are dipped in various natural dyes.

These products are available through exhibitions and are in demand among NRIs.

Of late, voluntary organisations have begun conducting workshops and exhibitions in the metros to make weavers understand the market better and understand customer needs.

Handloom fabrics are not boring stuff anymore. From short capris to pants, shirts to tops, skirts to stoles, handbags to caps, there's something for every trendy youngster.

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FN: Frederick Noronha
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[Frederick [FN] Noronha * फ्रेडरिक नोरोंया]