Page 12 - Mann Ki Baat
P. 12
ISMAIL KHATRI
It was Sharada’s birthday and she had brought a small box of sweets for the class.
Happy Birthday,
Sharada! What a DO you know
pretty kurta you that the kind of
are wearing! print on Sharada’s
dress is known
as Ajrakh?
thank
you!
Is that Absolutely right,
another Mann ki Shreyas. Let me tell you
Baat story, Sir? about the man who saved
the art of Ajrakh from
fading out.
It was the year 2001. The Khatris of The community’s
Dhamadka* approached the head of traditional art of
their community, Ismail Khatri. Ajrakh block printing
was dependent on
The water plentiful and clean
levels in our water resources.
village have been
rapidly depleting
for the last
ten years.
Now
with the Please,
earthquake^, Ismail, let
we are in us all move
real danger to another
of losing our village.
livelihoods.
From the colours used to
the proper printing of the
design, water determined MANY
Ismail knew their concerns were valid. factors IN the process.
*A village near Bhuj in Gujarat
^Gujarat earthquake of 2001 10
