Natural Dye & Tie-Dye Workshop Empowers Youth in Sundarbans
A vibrant and hands-on four-day Natural Dye and Tie-Dye Workshop was successfully conducted from March 20–23, 2025, at Sundarban Bijoynagar Disha, located on Bali Island, Gosaba subdivision.
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This enriching initiative was jointly organized by the Centre for World Environmental History (CWEH), University of Sussex, UK, and the Industrial Section of the Indian Museum (Botanical Survey of India - BSI), Kolkata. The workshop was a direct response to enthusiastic requests from participants of the earlier Bali Batik Art Workshopsheld in May 2024.
Promoting Sustainable Alternatives to Chemical Dyes
The program focused on equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to work with eco-friendly natural dyes. The curriculum explored:
• Sources of natural dyes
• Extraction methods
• Application techniques
• Fixation processes on textiles
This knowledge-sharing endeavor aimed to promote sustainable dyeing practices while preserving local botanical traditions.
Engaging the Next Generation
A total of 20 local children and youth, aged 12 to 21 years, actively took part in the workshop. The hands-on sessions included:
• Extraction of dyes from the bark of three mangrove species and other native plants such as Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Marigold, Clitoria ternatea, and vegetable waste like onion scales
• Field collection of plant materials from the participants’ own surroundings
• Use of organic and inorganic mordants to fix the natural dyes
• Tie-dye application sessions to creatively explore dye usage on textiles
The workshop provided a unique blend of environmental education, traditional knowledge, and creative expression—empowering the youth of the Sundarbans with skills rooted in sustainability and local ecology.
After collection, the mature bark is carefully dried in shaded conditions to preserve its natural dye properties.
The dried bark is then manually ground into a fine powder, ensuring the preservation of its natural color properties.
The powdered bark is soaked overnight in water to initiate the natural dye extraction process.
The soaked bark, along with a measured amount of water, is transferred to a bowl and gently simmered to extract the rich natural dye.
Trainers are actively demonstrating the natural dye-making process and guiding participants through its application on textiles.
Trainers are also demonstrating the preparation of mordants, essential for fixing natural dyes onto textiles and enhancing color fastness.
Following the demonstration, participants engaged in hands-on sessions, gaining practical experience in applying natural dyes to textiles.
Participants are learning a variety of folding and tying techniques as part of the preparatory steps for dyeing fabrics with natural dyes.
Participants then immerse their tied fabrics into the natural dye baths, bringing their creations to life with vibrant, eco-friendly colors.
Displayed here are examples of tie-dye results, showcasing natural colors derived from Mangrove species, Eucalyptus species, and onion scales, respectively.