Guwahati: A comprehensive publication titled “Natural Textile Dyes of Assam: Indigenous Knowledge System” has been launched in Dispur. Authored by Dr. Sangeeta Chakravarty, Preservation Officer at the Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, the book documents the rich natural dye heritage of the state.
The launch was carried out by Nandita Garlosa, Minister for Sports & Youth Welfare and Welfare of Minorities, at her conference hall in Dispur.
The event was attended by the Secretary of the Indigenous and Tribal Faith & Culture Department, who praised the book for its contribution to safeguarding traditional dyeing knowledge.
Two veteran practitioners of natural dyeing — Naramohan Das of Haropara (Kamrup) and Hasna Shyam of Betbari Shyam Gaon (Titabor) — also joined the programme. Their decades of experience appear in the book as detailed case studies covering plant-based dyes, extraction processes, and community traditions.
The publication is based on more than ten years of research, practical experiments, and extensive fieldwork conducted by Dr. Chakravarty on indigenous dyeing traditions.
The Minister appreciated the depth of the work and its effort to bring attention to Assam’s natural textile dye heritage. She also noted that the study supports government initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous skills, rural craft traditions, and sustainable textile practices.
Dr. Chakravarty expressed gratitude to the Minister for writing the foreword and formally releasing the book. She said the documentation will serve researchers, artisans, students, and policymakers working in the fields of natural dyes, textile heritage, ethnobotany, and indigenous knowledge systems.
