Social activist and researcher Ruby Ghuznavi founded Aranya in the early nineties as a fair trade microenterprise. Its goal was to look into the commercial viability of natural dye products and promote these items in the mainstream market. Aranya has been a part of Bengal Foundation since 2011. The Foundation is committed to reviving natural dyes and furthering Aranyas goals. Aranya currently has a small-scale commercial production and marketing unit in Dhaka with a trading centre and retail outlet. The use of natural dyes is an ancient craft which has been in use in South Asia for thousands of years. Aranyas products allow us to hold on to an important part of our cultural heritage. While labour costs for naturally-dyed products are higher compared to its synthetic counterpart, the difference in price is only marginal. These dyes are sourced from vegetable wastes such as leaves, petals, peels, etc. Exhibitions, workshops and media coverage have gone a long way towards creating awareness about the non-pollutant and non-toxic effects of natural dyes. The industry has also created jobs for women. Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts is pleased to present Aranyas Spring Collection for 1419/2013.

Researcher, social activist and crafts expert Ruby Ghuznavi founded Aranya in the early nineties as a fair trade microenterprise, to look into the commercial viability of natural dye products and to promote such items in the mainstream market. From 2011, Aranya became a part of Bengal Foundation. The Foundation is committed to pursue the revival of natural dyes and take the project forward. Aranya has a small scale commercial production and marketing unit in Dhaka, with a training centre and retail outlet. Although labour costs are higher compared to commercial dyeing, the price of the end product is only marginally more than its synthetic counterpart. Most dyes are sourced from vegetable waste such as leaves, petals, peel, etc. Exhibitions, workshops and media coverage have gone a long way in creating awareness about the non-pollutant and non-toxic effect of natural dyes. The industry has also created jobs for women. The use of natural dyes is an ancient craft, familiar to the people of this land for thousands of years. Aranya allows us to hold on to an important part of our heritage. Bengal Shilpalaya is pleased to present the Aranya Spring Collection 1419/2013. The show will be inaugurated by the President of National Crafts Council, crafts exponent Monira Emdad.

Date: 05.04.2013 – 13.04.2013
Venue: Bengal Shilpalaya
Organiser: Bengal Foundation