Although Nirona is considered rather small by Indian standards (15,000), a wealth of different types of crafts is created here. Driving through the narrow streets, we first visited Mr. Khatri Sumar Daud, whose family (males only) has been making Rogan art for the last eight generations. Mr. Daud pulled out a small round covered palette containing brightly colored pigment. He explained that the gooey gum substance was made from castor oil. Natural pigments are then added. He then transferred a small amount of the paste to the palm of his hand, working the substance until it felt pliable. Using an iron rod, flat at both ends, Mr. Daud touched the surface of the cloth with the tip containing the paste. It was amazing to watch how he was able to control the sticky, stringy paste and manipulate it so that it would form beautiful, curved shapes. In addition to varied lines and shapes, perfect dots could be made. Work was done intuitively and spontaneously.
After one color was completed on the half of the cloth, the cloth was then folded, transferring the impression to form a symmetrical design. A second color would then be added to the dried first half, but the cloth being folded again. This would be repeated until all colors were added. Many of the pieces he showed us (although each were unique) had the recurring theme of the Tree of Life. Mr. Daud explained that his family was the only one currently engaged in this craft. In the efforts of preventing this art from dying out, he is now teaching Rogan art to 25 females in the village.
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