LUCKNOW / BHUJ: The journey of preserving a rare heritage art form is often paved with immense dedication, a reality beautifully validated at the 24th convocation ceremony of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU). Smt. Anandiben Patel, the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, officially presented master artisan Ashish Shantilal Kansara with an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) degree for his exceptional contributions to India’s traditional Rogan painting heritage.
Dr Ashish Shantilal Kansara’s dedication for Rogan art
Born in 1975 and trained in the delicate freehand stylus technique by his grandfather, Jamnadas Vastaram Kansara, Ashish Kansara encountered numerous economic and structural disruptions over the decades, particularly following the devastating 2001 Kutch earthquake. Rather than letting the ancestral art fade away, he expanded the practice, introducing modern home decor, fine art wall hangings, and the first intricate divine portraits ever rendered in the medium.
Dr. Ashish Kansara is GI-authorized user (AU/35946/GI/718/1) for Kutch Rogan Craft (GI Tag 718)
Today, operating as a certified GI-authorized user (AU/35946/GI/718/1) for Kutch Rogan Craft (GI Tag 718), his studio ensures absolute legal and historical authenticity. The conferring of the D.Litt title highlights his dedication to academic outreach and community empowerment. Through the craft trust led alongside his wife, Komal Kansara, in Madhapar village, they have turned their workshop into an educational sanctuary, training dozens of apprentices and demonstrating that ancient artistic roots can thrive in the modern era.