Treesouls

One Fine Day, 1973: A young systems engineer at a leading company left his job walked into the open wide world. Having had his share of daily grind, he longed for something more; something beyond. He took a journey within – followed Buddhism, meditated, organized meditation retreats and by chance stumbled into environmentalism.

He got himself involved in ecological conservation of the virgin rainforests of Australia which were under threat then. It was during these pursuits and demonstrations that he felt himself connect with the emotional and spiritual side of the Earth. He felt himself respond to Earth in dimensions other than the five senses. He realized that his work went beyond ecological conservation and was fighting for Life on the planet and for the planet itself – which is alive.

He is Australian Rainforest Protection Activist – John Seed.

26th December 2009, Chennai: A youthful old man on the dais was talking about Deep Ecology while strumming his guitar, singing poems and love songs for Earth. As a part of his lecture tour to India, he came to reiterate his message of the living Earth, and how we have forgotten to connect with it. He was John Seed in person – live, talking, and singing his beliefs.

John Seed needs no introduction as he is a well known face of rainforest activism. Having worked for 30 years for the protection of rainforests worldwide, John is still going strong in his message to protect our living Earth.

What is remarkable about his life story is that he did not drop from the sky. He was an ordinary human being and a normal person like you and me. He still is. He has a life, loved ones, fears, and his share of daily grind; just like we all do. But he had the courage to keep it all aside and dive head long into the ideals that grew in him.

He did not start with a big bang or an NGO. He simply tagged himself with the causes he could feel within and connect to. He learnt on the fly. He learnt what he was fighting about, after getting involved in the fight. All he had was a bit of conviction that he was doing the right thing. He did come a long and is raring to go for more.

As a part of his lecture tour to India, John Seed has been travelling all over the country talking about Deep Ecology, Rainforest Conservation, and his past works in different parts of the worlds. His talk in Chennai was centered on the efforts in stalling development of neutrino observatory, and various ecological conservation work undertaken in different parts of the world.

John Seed’s Role in Stalling the Neutrino Observatory in Niligiri Biosphere, Tamil Nadu

India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) was a proposed particle physics research project to study atmospheric neutrinos in a large deep tunnel/ cave near Masinagudi in Tamil Nadu, India. It was one of the biggest experimental particle physics projects to be undertaken by multiple institutions, for the first time in India. The proposed project location falls near the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) which is rich in wild biodiversity putting two tiger reserves and elephant corridor at Singara, at risk.

As a part of the experiment, more than 2 kilometer tunnel would have been constructed to build an underground 100,000 ton neutrino detector. This Neutrino Observatory was planned to be constructed in the heart of the forest region of Singara, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR).

Within the Niligiri Reserve lie six protected areas (PAs) – The Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves and the Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park. All these protected areas which house rare and endangered species, including the Tiger. Large tracts of reserve forests connect these different National Parks and Sanctuaries and form more or less continuous forests from the animal’s point of view.

Immense care would have been required during construction and operation phase as the area is a corridor for the movement of Elephants. The proposed site’s access road was cutting across a vital elephant corridor that connects the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats. Needless to say that this project would have spelt doom to the elephant, tiger and many other animals habitats and also affecting the flora of the region.

In November 2009, the Ministry of Environment (India), denied permission for the Department of Atomic Energy (India) to set up the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project at Singara.

John Seed played a major role in stalling the Neutrino Observatory project. He started his email campaign by sending letters to the project stakeholders such as the politicians, scientists, administrators, including the government. The awareness of the erstwhile unknown project caused media uproar and this project was stalled at its design stage.

Thanks to John Seed and many more environmentalists and activists like him, many species of the Niligiri were saved from intrusion and gradual extinction. John Seed’s work towards ecological conservation in India had resulted in saving the Niligiri Biosphere and its fragile ecosystem.

Deep Ecology and Conservation of Nature – Lecture by John Seed in Chennai

On 26th December 2009, John Seed, as a part of his second lecture tour to India spoke about Deep Ecology. Here is introduction on his program.

Deep Ecology is a philosophy of nature, which sees that underlying the environmental crisis there is a psychological or spiritual disease stemming from the illusion of separation between humans and the rest of the natural world. The late Arne Naess, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy from Oslo University, Norway, who coined the term “deep ecology”, pointed out that our “ecological ideas are not enough to protect the Earth, we need ecological identity, ecological self”. With a presentation that includes music and poetry, John Seed shows us how to nourish our ecological identity and align ourselves with Earth.

The experience of deep ecology leads to a deepening of our love for the natural world and empowerment and vision for the protection of Nature. In the 2nd part of this presentation, John will speak of this and show a couple of short films about his projects for the protection of nature in South India including the reforestation of Arunachala in Tamil Nadu and the protection of the world’s largest remaining population of wild Asian elephants in the Nilgiris.

John Seed’s lecture was fun, interesting, enlightening and musical. We were more than happy with his rendition of songs and poems. He shared his experience in Thailand, where Buddhist monks tie a saffron cloth around a tree deeming it sacred. The wood cutters do not cut such trees. By this some trees are being saved. And in Sri Lanka, sacred grooves are earmarked and no one harms those. These are the indigenous ways in which the clergy is trying to reach out to protect Mother Nature.

He also spoke about the remarkable work undertaken by Annamalai Forest Restoration Foundation where trees were planted and protected on the mountains in an ingenious way, inspite of dry weather conditions. Thanks to efforts like these, there have been no major forest fires in Tiruamnnamalai inspite of the harsh dry climate.

He also spoke about the community therapy programs that are conducted by him and his organization that involves healing of people, sensitizing them to the environment, etc. Between Deep Ecology and paeans of love for Earth we were treated with video footage of some fabulous work by India’s ace wildlife film maker, Shekar Dattari. Here are some of the video clippings.

Reweaving Shiva’s Robes

Long Live the Elephants

John Seed’s passion for Earth was felt through out session. He is one of the remarkable persons who have done their bit and continue to do so. The key messages he left for us were:

> We are trying to save the Earth now, because we are worried about us; not the Earth.
> That we live in an illusion that humans are central to everything on Earth.
>Earth has always said YES to human beings. It still does.
>That what happens to nature, happens to us.
>That we are living in a world of wounds – wherein its hard to think about ecology.
>That religions and religious postulates have bred in arrogance in humans since time immemorial(going by the story of creation).
>That our language deceives us to believe that we are better. And that plants and animals that do not speak are inferior.
>That you don’t have to go too far for answers. Nature is explanation itself.

Here are some of the soul warming songs that John Seed sang and strummed in Chennai at the Book Point Auditorium (Anna Salai):

>I just wanna celebrate; celebrate life…
>Now the Lord made the world in just six days
>Love Song to the Universe – Remember that you are standing on a plant that is evolving…
>Ode to the Mother – I was once blind…

You can find the lyrics and music notes of these poems and songs and a collection of more soul warming songs on his website.

To know more about John Seed, the founder and director of the Rainforest Information Centre in Australia, please visit his Rainforest Information Website

Bagru, an erstwhile sleepy and desolate village on the Jaipur-Ajmer Road in Rajasthan, is now the cynosure of many fashion houses and boutiques.

As the world is waking up to environmental consciousness and eco-living, this little village has been attracting the attention of green moguls as one of the must-have items in your home wardrobe. What draws the crowds is its ancient art and craft form that is high on ecological consciousness and for its use of eco-friendly hand block printing practices.

Bagru boasts of a handful of crafts persons who still use traditional vegetable dyes in their hand block prints. Bagru’s method of printing is completely eco-friendly. From treating the base cloth with Fuller’s earth (multani mitti), soaking it in turmeric (haldi), to stamping the cloth with beautifully patterned blocks of wood using natural dyes of earthy hues, Bagru’s prints are epitome of eco-friendly textiles and printing practices. Added to that, natural coloring agents such as alum, turmeric, pomegranate, dried flowers, indigo, etc are used to add colorful designs and motifs to the fabric. Blue from indigo, green from indigo mixed with pomegranate rinds, red from madder root and yellow from turmeric. It can’t get any more eco-friendlier than this.

Since India is rich and abundant in its natural resources, most of its arts and craft forms derive raw materials and design influence from nature. Almost all the ancient art forms are eco-friendly and mostly celebrating nature. Bagru’s hand block printed fabric is no exception. From vegetable dyes, natural fabrics, nature-inspired patterns and design, its products are ecologically natural.

Bagru prints are so unique and renowned that the Calico Museum of Textile in Ahmedabad, India, has commissioned a study into this old art form. Thanks to this kind of interest in ecofriendly printing practices, the village now hums with much activity: stamping, printing, dyeing and supplying the exquisite art form to different corners of the world.

In spite of poor living and working conditions, the expert craftsmen of Bagru have kept the three-centuries-old tradition of block printing alive in India. Thanks to them, we now get to witness and ancient art form that shows how man lived in symphony with nature without harming the environment and oneself.

History of Bagru Hand Block Printing
There is no authentic record for reference on backdating Bagru’s block printing practices. It is estimated that this art form was introduced 450 years back when a community of Chhipas (literally meaning people who stamp or print) came to Bagru from Sawai Madhopur (Alwar), and settled in Bagru. Even today, their community works together in a place called Chhippa Mohalla (Printer’s Quarters), by the Sanjaria riverside. It is perhaps the river name that lends it name to Sanganeri printing art form.

The Chippas community settled along the riverside, like any other nomadic settlement. The bank of the river provided then with clay which is an important ingredient in getting the base color of the famed Bagru prints. The artisans smear the cloth with Fuller’s earth got from the riverside and then dip it in turmeric water to get the beige colored background. After that, they stamp the cloth with beautiful designs using natural dyes of earthly shades.

Eco Friendly Colors used in Bagru Hand Block Printing
Bagru prints are done on off-white, ivory white, or beige background. The main colors used in Bagru printing are black, red and maroon. These three main colors are extracted from naturally occurring sources: black is derived from worn-out iron horse or camel shoes soaked in water, red comes from gum paste and phitkari, and maroon is a result of mixing the above two colors.

Apart from these base colors, natural vegetable dyes are used to add colorful patters and designs. These include madder, indigo, pomegranate rind, turmeric, etc. Pigment colors such as green, rust, blue, violet, brown, and pink are added to appease wider markets. There is also a traditional reason for picking a particular color in the designs, such as indigo for Lord Krishna, saffron for a saint or yogi, yellow for spring season, etc.

Bagru Hand Block Printing Process
Bagru’s method of hand block printing is a labour-intensive process that requires a lot of, skill, patience, effort and time.

The wooden blocks used for printing a design on the fabric are hand-made using traditional fine-carpentry tools. Some blocks are made of teakwood while some use light-weight wood called Rorda. These blocks are soaked overnight in oils, washed and then put to use. Usually, over a period of time, the Chhippas have considerable amount of blocks collection which they consider as their core wealth.

The base cloth on which the block printing is done is prepared with riverside clay, turmeric, and other solutions to make it softer and absorbent. It is then dried and washed whilst acquiring a dull white or light beige color. This color background is one of the distinctive characteristics of Bagru hand prints.

The vegetable dyes are prepared as per family traditions that have been passed from generation to generation. The printer dabs the block in the dye and stamps the design outline on the fabric as per the pattern template. Single measured dab is required for one stamp. There are no hi-fi tools to stamp but simple human judgment in assessing the amount of color required and in placing the block on the fabric. This imperfect yet neat stamping process lends it own unique charm to the design and product.

Once the cloth has been printed, it is dried in the sun and then readied for dyeing. The design outlines are then filled with other color dyes with the help of complimentary hand blocks that are carved to fill the hollow spaces created by the outlined design blocks.

After printing, washing, and dyeing, the cloth is given a final wash and is sun-dried.

Difference between Sanganeri and Bagru Prints
Whilst both the eco-friendly printing forms belong to Rajasthan and use hand blocks, Sanganeri prints are usually done on bright colored fabric as a base. Sanganeri prints are found on bright white background whereas Bagru prints are done on black, brown, beige, and red back grounds. Sanganeri prints are mostly floral trellis like patterns whereas Bagru prints have motifs and geometrical inlays.

Difference between Dabu printing and Bagru Printing
Dabu printing is also a unique art form found alongside Bagru prints. In this, a design is sketched onto the background cloth. This sketched design is covered with clay on which saw dust is sprinkled. The saw dust sticks to the cloth as the clay dries. Thereafter, the entire cloth is dyed in select colors. The area where clay and sawdust mixture is present does not catch the dye and remains colorless. After dyeing and drying, the cloth is washed to remove the clay and the mixture. For additional color, this cloth is dyed again in a lighter shade to cover the patterned area. This unique form of printing is also environmentally non-toxic and uses no harmful or synthetic dyes.

The Dark Side of Bagru Block Printing
Like any other trade, Bagru’s block printing also comes under considerable flak for its adultery in art form. While retailers sell Bagru products at a premium price, a fraction of this reaches the actual workers. The printers are looking out for cheaper, faster options of increasing the output – putting this trade at a risk.

Market demand, poverty, poor living and working conditions have forced these craftsmen to resort to trade shortcuts that range from using synthetic dyes, machine cut tools, to fabrics of sub-standard quality.

The Future of Bagru Printing
Bagru block printing has evolved over a period of time accommodating to changes in lifestyle, demand and fashion. Since ancient and exotic art forms had taken a back seat due to western influence and globalization, many Chhippas have given up the art of hand block printing as people have adopted modern and synthetic textiles. Yet there are a handful of craftsmen who swear by the beauty of the art form and equate their work to worship.

While traditional art forms and methods are increasingly being replaced by modern tools, techniques and synthetic dyes, Bagru prints are finally getting recognized. With attention back on preserving the near extinct art forms, there is a revived interest in preserving the rare art of hand block printing with vegetable dyes.

Bagru prints are unique, captivating and exotic. Erstwhile used for clothes and turbans, Bagru textiles are increasingly in demand for home furnishings and décor. Bagru prints and motifs are preferred for bed spreads, bed sheets, table linen, and home accessories.

Bagru prints are here to stay. As people around the world are increasingly becoming environmentally conscious, soft-on-nature art forms are once again back in demand. Many block printers may now follow Bagru’s example of stamping it right.

Resources on Bagru’s Famed Hand Block Printing
For more information on Bagru Hand Block Printing process – click here   and here is a lovely collection of some beautiful and exotic motifs of Bagru Block printing

This article is based on a visit to Bagru Village, Rajasthan, for Hand Block Printing. We deeply appreciate the hospitality of the Hand Block printers, their families and other villagers – as we continue to admire their works of art which now adorn our home.

On our way back, we came across a heart-warming sight – a bunch of kids were studying under a lone tree in the desert, which is their makeshift school. The need of the hour is support in terms of infrastructure, education, finance, etc, for upliftment of the Bagru community.

For information on reaching Bagru or buying thier merchandise, get in touch with us.

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