Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In Badshah Mian's family workshop (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian
Leheriya is a resist dyeing technique unique to Rajasthan, with its main centres being the cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur. In Jaipur, craftspersons from the Neelghar Rangrez community that practise the craft, are mostly settled in the Neelghar Nalla area of Ramgunj. Badshah Mian is an award winning craftsperson who has a successful Leheriya workshop in Jaipur. Although now his sons look after the business, he is actively involved in the process of the production.
Badshah Mian, an acclaimed Leheriya expert, hails from a family of traditional Rangrez, or textile dyeing craftsmen. He has spent several years attached with the Ministry of Textiles, supporting various textile and handcraft traditions.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian, Lehariya master artisan (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian left his official position before regular retirement age, to return to his traditional occupation as a Leheriya craftsman.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian leads the way to his house (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
He lives in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. His success has enabled him to move to a new home.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In Badshah Mian's family workshop (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian has built his own workspace in his home, which he established in a new area of Jaipur city.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian with visitors (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian's private collection of heritage textiles has priceless treasures.
Here, he sits holding court with a group of textile aficionados, who have travelled from afar to visit him in his home.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian with visitors (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
As he brings out each piece, Badshah Mian shares the nuances and secrets of these rare and vintage textiles.
Badshah Mian's study: A treasure trove
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian in his study (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian's study is stacked with files, containing an assortment of documents on textiles and technique that he has collected over the years.
Badshah Mian's study is also an archive of his creations, and the outcome of his painstaking research and experiments into different techniques.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian in his study (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
This is an award-winning Leheriya piece by Badshah Mian, where he experimented in create multiple panels, each coloured with natural dyes and tied according a contemporary layout.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian in his study (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian proudly shows visitors his masterpieces featured in a prestigious compendium on textiles.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian's library (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian's personal library would be the envy of collectors interested in textiles.
His interests are not restricted to his own craft, but extend to various textile traditions and historical costumes.
Widely travelled, his knowledge of techniques was enriched by his associations with different craftspersons during his work with government.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Badshah Mian receiving an award from President APJ Abdul Kalam (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian's awards and honours punctuate his study.
Being commended by President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is one of his most cherished memories.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In the Leheriya workshop (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The next generation
Not merely a theoretician, Badshah Mian is actively involved with the production of leheriya textiles in his family business, which is now looked after by his two sons, Shehan Shah and Shah Nawaz.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In the Leheriya workshop (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Badshah Mian and his sons personally develop new design samples for their fresh collections every year.
Innovation is sparked by his expertise, experience and public recognition.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In the Leheriya workshop (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
New resist patterns, materials and colour variations are experimented in the family workshop.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In the Leheriya workshop (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
While some aspects of production will later be given out to various artisans, the initial sampling and design development is always a hands-on process carried out by the family.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Leheriya production (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Following in the footsteps of their father, Badshah Mian's sons Shehan Shah and Shah Nawaz are Lehariya experts in their own right. Shehen Shah (left) is a State Award winner.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: In the artisan's store room (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Shah Nawaz left his job in a bank to study design and joined his brother in running family's textile business.
They take pleasure in experimenting with new fabrics and techniques, blending their aesthetic and imagination with the traditional knowledge of their craft.
Leheriya Tie-Dye: Leheriya textile (2010) by Badshah MianDastkari Haat Samiti
Read more about Leheriya textiles here:
- Leheriya textiles from Rajasthan
- The Process
Text: Aloka Hiremath, Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Suleiman Merchant
Artisans: Badshah Mian and family
Ground Facilitator: Charu Verma
Curation: Ruchira Verma
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