INDIAN CRAFTS AND SUSTAINABLE NATURAL DYES

Abstract

Indian crafts reflect the most commonly from different parts of the country practice several art forms and crafts, and their identities are associated with where they carry a significant part of their culture and tradition. Most of these art forms are practised for ages and passed from generation to generation. Most of these are folk and traditional, and regional art forms have local religious themes, community values, cultural practices, and various traditional beliefs. Our country has several distinct folk and traditional arts in different regions of India. Among these most popular are Madhubani from the Mithila region of Bihar, Kalamkari Paintings, Kondapalli Toys, Etikoppaka Toys, Nirmal Toys from Andhra Pradeshand Telangana. Colours carry an important cultural significance in India. Here the researcher wants to focus mainly on the natural dyes used for these art forms, the influence of cultural diversity, and sustainability factors. Natural colors are extracted from plants and other natural sources for most of these art forms. Some of these started adopting artificial synthetic colour practices due to various reasons. Since the dawn of civilization, colour has influenced the human psyche from ancient times and played a significant role in the formation of different cultures of human beings worldwide. With the increasing demand in recent times for the use of natural and sustainable colours many industries started looking for natural bio-resource colours without any harmful effects on the environment and aquatic ecosystem. Current studies also spotlight a historical overview of natural colourants.