Painting with a thread of oil
In the small Kutch village of Nirona, a rare and beautiful craft has survived for some three centuries: Rogan art. The name comes from the Persian word for ‘oil’, and the technique is extraordinary. Castor oil is boiled for hours until it thickens into a bright, elastic paste, blended with natural pigments, and then trailed in impossibly fine threads from a metal stylus onto cloth — the artist drawing freehand, the stylus never quite touching the fabric.
Watching the work is the whole point: the painter draws a thread of castor-oil paste from the palm with a stylus and lays it onto cloth without ever touching the surface, folding the fabric to mirror the design. Nirona sits about 40 kilometres from Bhuj, and the same village keeps its copper-bell and lacquer workshops within a few doors.
Often the painted half of a cloth is folded onto a blank half, mirroring the design in a single press. Once practised by several families, the craft came close to dying out and is now carried on chiefly by the Khatri family of Nirona, whose intricate ‘Tree of Life’ panels have travelled the world as gifts of state.
Watching a piece take shape — symmetrical, jewel-bright and astonishingly fine — is one of Kutch’s quietest wonders, and a window into the region’s deep craft soul.
Vivid Rogan motifs on cloth.
A Persian craft kept alive by one family
A craft saved from the brink.
An oil-based painting craft with roots traced to Persia.
Rogan art takes hold in Kutch, practised by several families.
Through the 20th century the craft nearly dies out.
The Khatri family of Nirona keep it alive and win global acclaim.
Reasons to make the time
Rare craft
One of the world's rarest painting arts.
One family
Kept alive chiefly by the Khatris of Nirona.
Mesmerising skill
Paint trailed freehand from a stylus.
Tree of Life
Its most famous, intricate motif.
See it made
Watch artisans at work in the village.
Craft heartland
Part of Kutch's rich craft circuit.
What to look for inside
THE ARTRogan in motion
The stylus trailing fine threads.
MOTIFSTree of Life
Jewel-bright symmetrical panels.
How to spend an hour or two
Watch a demo
See the castor-oil paste trailed onto cloth.
Meet the artisans
Learn the craft from the Khatri family.
See the Tree of Life
Admire the signature motif up close.
Understand the mirror
Watch a design pressed and doubled.
Explore Nirona
See the village's other crafts too.
Take it slow
Appreciate the patience the work demands.
Stylus, paste and a steady hand.
How Rogan is made
Rogan begins in a pot: castor oil is heated for hours until it thickens into a sticky, stretchy residue, which is mixed with mineral and natural pigments to make vivid, glossy colours. The artist takes up a little paste on a metal stylus (or rod) and, working freehand, draws it out into a hair-fine thread that is laid onto the cloth in loops, curls and points — almost like drawing in mid-air.
The designs are built from memory and tradition rather than stencils, and a cloth is often folded in half to mirror the motif perfectly. The result is a raised, lustrous, almost embroidered-looking pattern made entirely of painted oil.
For everything else the district holds, see our Kutch travel guide.
This belongs to a wider story: the living crafts of Gujarat.
Boiled castor-oil paste
Freehand stylus work
Mirror-fold symmetry
Natural mineral pigments
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season for Kutch and the Rann.
The grasslands green up; the Rann floods — access is limited.
Very hot and dry — visit early or late; the Rann bakes.
⏰ Visit by day so you can watch the artisans working; the craft rewards an unhurried, attentive look.
Timings & entry
- Best visited during working daylight hours
- Artisans often demonstrate the technique
- Photography is usually welcomed — do ask first
- Allow 1–2 hours to truly appreciate it
- Visiting the village workshops is free
- Genuine Rogan pieces are intricate and rare
- Buy directly from the artisans if you wish
- Combine it with Nirona's other crafts
Getting there
By Air
Bhuj Airport (~45 km) is the nearest.
By Rail
Bhuj is the nearest railhead, then road to Nirona.
By Road
About 40 km north of Bhuj, by taxi or local transport.
Shooting the craft
THREAD & COLOUR
Fine lines, glossy paint and patient hands
What to shoot
The stylus trailing its thread of paint.
Detail
Close-ups of the Tree of Life motifs.
Be courteous
Ask before photographing the artisans.
Colour
The glossy, jewel-bright finished cloth.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Craft Villages
◐ Colour & artisans
The White Rann
◐ Full moon · blue hour
SPIRITUALSwaminarayan Temple, Bhuj
A dazzling marble-and-gold temple in Bhuj
WETLANDChari Dhand
Seasonal wetland of flamingos, pelicans & raptors
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple
Seaside temple in the old port town
BEACH & PALACEMandvi Beach
Golden sands beside the royal Vijay Vilas Palace
Where to eat near Rogan Art of Nirona
STREET FOODKutchi Dabeli
The sweet-spicy potato bun born in Mandvi.
THALIKutchi Thali
Bajra rotla, kadhi, khichdi and ghee.
SNACKSGanthiya & farsan
Gathiya, fafda and fried snacks.
Largely vegetarian
Kutch's food is mostly pure-veg and dairy-rich.
Rogan Art of Nirona FAQ
What is Rogan art?
A rare painting craft where boiled castor-oil paste is trailed onto cloth with a stylus.
Where is it practised?
In Nirona village, about 40 km from Bhuj in Kutch.
Who keeps it alive?
Chiefly the Khatri family of Nirona, after the craft nearly died out.
What is the 'Tree of Life'?
Rogan art's most famous, intricate motif, often gifted as a state present.
Can I watch it being made?
Yes — artisans often demonstrate the technique to visitors.
Is there an entry fee?
No; visiting the workshops is free.
Can I buy a piece?
Yes, directly from the artisans — genuine work is rare and prized.
When should I go?
During daytime working hours, ideally as a day trip from Bhuj.
Related places across Gujarat
FORESTNinai Waterfall
A tiered fall deep in tribal forest
HILLSNizar Uplands
Quiet hill country to the east
5Artist Village
Watch Warli artists paint tribal folklore
HERITAGESurendranagar-Wadhwan
The twin royal town of the district
Botad Countryside
The rural heart of Botad — the cotton fields, open plains and village life of the…
4Kapadvanj Torans
Ancient ornamental gateways of a faded town
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026