Media Release
Karkala, Feb 27: As part of its Udupi saree revival project, Kadike Trust, here, recently organized a six-day workshop on 'Natural Dyeing'.
The workshop was conducted at Talipady Weavers Society Kinnigoli by Gandhian, Dr Sanghamitra Desai Gaadekar of Vedchi Gujarat. Dr Desai, a staunch follower of Gandhian ways is the granddaughter of Mahadeva Desai, diarist of Mahatma Gandhiji. She left her lucrative job in the United States to follow the path of her grandfather and father Narayan Desai who founded the Sampoorna Kranthi Vidyalaya, which trains youngsters in Gandhiyan methodology and people's movement. Her husband, Dr Suren Gadekar, is an anti-nuclear activist.
Dr Sangamitra has also been practicing Khadi weaving and natural colour dying for decades. She taught enthusiasts about dyeing cotton yarns using locally available materials and waste material like used marigold flowers from Kateel temple, pomegranate peel from local restaurants, jackwood sawdust, bark of Malabar Kino, golden shower tree, roots of Noni and Madder etc.
She explained the importance of extracting dyes from local materials in a sustainable way without harming the environment. Santosh Kaulagi of Janapada Seva Trust Melukote, Sachidanand K J artist from Mysuru, Vasudeva Shettigar Dyer from Talipady Weaver Society, permaculturist Sachin Kumar and many enthusiasts participated in this rare programme.
The event was co-sponsored by Ananda Tulasi Vana Trust Adamaru Mata Udupi.