Dekha andekhi: kaal aur kala

Abstract

I wanted to make a documentary on the many challenges facing the Chhipa community of Sanganer and develop the argument that consumer’s lack of knowledge about the richness and value of this craft is also a factor contributing to its increasing marginalization in the market. I would like to highlight a traditional textile art 'Sanganeri hand block printing' of Rajasthan. An art form, which is a part of a society, a community and its daily life and made their community self dependent and proud. This delicate art was transferred from one generation to another, but it has started deteriorating due to the presence of screen printers.Screen printing is a process where hazardous chemical colors and large screens are used for printing. The production is very quick at a much cheaper cost comparing to hand block printing. These products are sold as sanganeri prints at market. There are many screen factories out casting hand block units. At present, on an average, there are 430 home units and 410 or more screen printing units. In my attempt to make a documentary film, I have projected an art which had a glorious past, is suffering badly because of Screen printing. Even after getting a Geographical Indication certificate, would this art be able to survive or a genuine hand block printing will lose the ground against Screen printing or will become a part of history as some other art forms have witnessed. Many other aspects are crisscrossed in a way that's making this problem more severe and complexed.