Brojendro producing natural dyes from plant extracts
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sagolsem Bigyan
Imphal, October 02 2022:
M/s Eastern Dyeing & Printing Industries proprietor Oinam Brojendro of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai has been successfully producing natural dyes from more than 55 local plant extracts.
Born in 1957, Brojendro is the son of Dwijamani and Mangi Devi with the mother also an illustrious weaver and dyer.
Brojendro is the eldest of eight siblings.
Keen on production of natural dyes, Brojendro has experimented with 55 locally found plants such as Mango, Indian gooseberry, Jack fruit, Turmeric, Dahlia, Gulmohar, Black Plum, Onion, Marigold, Pomegranate, Spinach, Smelly bean, Carrot, hibiscus, Kum (Strobelan thes cusia), U-ngang (Amoora spectabilis), Mayum (Rubia sikimnesses), Yachuvi (Melastoma malbathrecum), Ureirom (Bixa Orellena), Shahi (Pasania dealbata), Kuhi (Pasania pachyphylla), Kushumlei (Carthamus tine torius), Kuthap (Clerodendron odortus), U Napu (Berber is Manipurana), Chigonglei Acacia Arabica), Chahul Cassia Fistula), Surjamukhi Heikianhus annus), Chingshu Tectona Grandis), Manahi Termnalla Chebula), Pangong (Butea Monosperma), Shin-garei (Nyetantlus Arbortris tis), Kurao (Eugenia), Khe-u (Melanorrhoea Usitata), Uri Hingchabi (Mikania Micrantyha), Heikak (Trapanatans), Khujang (Impatiens belsamania), Pankhokla (Colacassia esculenta), Kabrangchak (Morus nigra), Aprajita (Butterfly pea), Nasik (Euclyptus Specius), Khok (Albizzia Atip-ulate), Uningthou (Phoebea hainesaine), Lemphu (Nymphaea alba), Tairel (Toona cihate), Uri-napu (Marsad enia tinctoria) and Heijuga (Jugulans Regia).
Speaking to The People's Chronicle, Oinam Brojendro pointed out that dyeing is one of the oldest crafts known to the world.
Due to non-toxic character of natural dye, people choose natural dye than chemical ones.
Since times immemorial, people of Manipur had been using plant-based dyes in handloom, handicraft and fine arts, he continued, while informing that more than 50 plant extracts were in use prior to the advent of chemical dye and 'Kum' plant is one such plants used traditionally for blue black dye.
The dye does not fade easily, he added.
Stating that plant-based dyes are environment friendly, he continued that they are non-pollutant and non allergic and also last longer.
Moreover, preservation of plants used for extraction of natural dye could help in protection and preservation of numerous endangered local plants, he opined.
Oinam Brojendro has not only won national and state level awards but also taken part in numerous national level workshops, and attended several workshops as resource person.
He has been taking up several initiatives for preservation of indigenous plants.
(The news report has been filed under media fellowship programme on scientific journalism of Public Relations and Media Management cell (PRMM) CAU.
For further details, PRMM cell information and publicity officer Dr Indira Thounaojam may be contacted through prmmcell@ gmail.com) .