DebbieLemke at 20:09, 1 September 2025

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{{Short description|Indian hand block printing master craftsman (1961–2019)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Abdul Kadar Khatri
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Abdul Kadar Khatri Receiving National Award.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Abdul Kadar Khatri (right) receiving National Award by [[List of presidents of India|Former President of India]] [[Pratibha Patil]] at [[Vigyan Bhawan]], [[New Delhi]], India.
| native_name = {{Lang|hi|अब्दुल कादर खत्री}}
| native_name_lang = hi
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1961|04|01||df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bagh, Dhar|Bagh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=|2019|05|12|1961|04|01}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-rashida-be-khatri-a-woman-bagh-print-artist-wins-national-merit-certificate |title=Madhya Pradesh: Rashida Be Khatri, a woman Bagh print artist wins national merit certificate |website=Free Press Journal}}</ref>
| death_place = Bagh, Madhya Pradesh
| resting_place = Bagh, Madhya Pradesh
| known_for = [[Bagh print]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bagh-artist-abdul-khatri-bags-unesco-2018-award-in-qatar/articleshow/67648631.cms |title=Bagh artist Abdul Khatri bags UNESCO 2018 award in Qatar | Bhopal News - Times of India |website=The Times of India|date=23 January 2019 }}</ref>
| style =
| movement =
| spouse = Rashida Bee (Twice State Award Winner)
| parents = [[Ismail Sulemanji Khatri]]
| children = 
| awards = {{Ubl
| [[Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts]] by [[UNESCO]]
| National Handicrafts Award
| State Award
| [[Surajkund#Surajkund International Crafts Mela|Surajkund Kala Nidhi Award]]<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/bagh-artisan-abdul-kadar-khatri-bags-unesco--world-craft-council-award.html |title=Bagh artisan Abdul Kadar Khatri bags UNESCO, world craft council award |website=The Pioneer}}</ref>
}}
| website =
| module =
}}

'''Abdul Kadar Khatri''' (1961–2019) was an Indian master craftsman of traditional [[Woodblock printing on textiles|hand block printing]] known as [[Bagh Print]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/arts/crafts/the-bagh-story/article2554935.ece |title=The Bagh story... |first=Pushpa |last=Chari |date=20 October 2011 |via=www.thehindu.com |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.org/details/abdulkadarbaghprintartist |title=Muscat Festival 2009 - Abdul Kadar Khatri (Master Craftperson) Bagh Print Artist |date=12 February 2009 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ipindiaservices.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/98 |title=Details | Geographical Indications | Intellectual Property India |website=ipindiaservices.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.outlookindia.com/traveller/mp/plan-a-trip/itinerary/the-textile-trail/|title=The Textile Trail}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.handicrafts.nic.in/CmsUpload/28512016045158WR.pdf |title=List of National and State award |website=www.handicrafts.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/WriteReadData/downloads/handloom_2017.pdf |title=List of Craftspersons of Handloom for the Year 2017 / See List of Madhya Pradesh / S.no. 56 |website=}}</ref> He was the son of [[Ismail Sulemanji Khatri]], founder of [[Bagh print]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gaatha.com/bagh-block-printing/ |title=Bagh Printing- Madhya Pradesh. process & history |first=Leonore |last=Alaniz |date=4 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.madhyamat.com/%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%88-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%87%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%87%E0%A4%B2/ |title=ठप्पा छपाई के जनक इस्माइल खत्री को शिल्प गुरु पुरस्कार |website=www.madhyamat.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/Mrignaynee |title=Mrignaynee |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> He along with his father saved the tradition of [[Textile printing]] of Bagh from extinction and taken it to new heights. His artifacts have brought laurels to [[India]] and particular to [[Madhya Pradesh|Madhya Pradesh state]] from across the globe by showcasing his exceptional talent in Bagh Print in many countries.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/glimpsesofindiancraftmanship |title=Glimpses Of Indian Craftmanship |date=2011 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/chaaptheimprintsofcrafts_201910 |title=Chaap THE Imprints of Crafts |date=2013 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> His family has been working in the trade of ''Traditional Bagh Hand Block print'' since the 7th century.<ref name="auto3"/>

His work was appreciated by [[Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay]], [[Martand Singh]], [[Laila Tyabji]], and [[Ṛta Kapur Chishti]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.whatshot.in/mumbai/hast-karigar-art-and-crafts-exhibition-e-403849 |title=Hast Karigar Art & Crafts Exhibition in Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya |website=Whats Hot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/29th-surajkund-crafts-fair-ends-47595.html |title=29th Surajkund crafts fair ends |date=16 February 2015 |website=www.indiatvnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://lifeandmore.in/culture/artcraft/mumbai-hosts-rhymes-and-rhythms-of-life/ |title=Mumbai hosts Rhymes and Rhythms of Life |date=11 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/29%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A1-%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8-1424698873-2 |title=29वां सूरजकुंड अंतरराष्ट्रीय शिल्प मेला संपन्न |date=23 February 2015}}</ref>

Abdul Kadar Khatri experimented incorporating modernity in the wood blocks and colours.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Early life==
Abdul Kadar was born on 1 April 1961 to a [[Muslim]] family in [[Bagh, Dhar|Bagh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]. He was son of [[Ismail Sulemanji Khatri]], founder of [[Bagh Print]]. Kadar was the eldest of five brothers and one sister in his family.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/arts/crafts/the-bagh-story/article2554935.ece |title=The Bagh story… |first=Pushpa |last=Chari |date=20 October 2011 |via=www.thehindu.com |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> His ancestors, the [[Khatri]] community, who comprise the 'chhipas' or printers, were originally from [[Larkana]] in [[Sindh]] (now in [[Pakistan]]), they came here about 400 years ago, and had since migrated to [[Marwad]] in [[Rajasthan]] and then to [[Manawar]] and they finally settled in [[Bagh, Dhar|Bagh]]. With them they brought the block printing technique. Kadar along with his father improved upon the red and black dyes previously used and developed new vegetable based dyes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.outlookindia.com/traveller/mp/inspire-me/culture/bagh-prints-lasting-imprint/|title=Bagh Prints: A Lasting Imprint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.utsavpedia.com/motifs-embroideries/motifs-embroideries-bagh-print/ |title=Bagh Printing: Traditional Block Printing From Madhya Pradesh |first=Team Utsav |last=Pedia |date=10 April 2017 |website=Utsavpedia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gaatha.com/bagh-block-printing/ |title=Thappa Chappai |website=gaatha.com |date=18 May 2016 }}</ref> His primary innovation was creating the Bagh Print on different types of cloth by printing on them.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijhcs/v5-i4/6.pdf |title=Historical View on Block Printing Technique and its Used in Bagh Print |first=Kalam |last=Chouhan |date=2019 |website=www.arcjournals.org |via=International Journal of History and Cultural Studies (IJHCS)}}</ref>{{pred |date=July 2024}}

== Career ==

Abdul Kadar Khatri learned the craft of '''Bagh hand block printing''' from his father, Ismail Sulemanji Khatri, and went on to establish himself as one of its most innovative practitioners. His career was marked by both preserving the centuries-old traditions of his community and experimenting with new directions for the craft. His work was exhibited internationally in countries including Germany, Oman, Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, and Thailand, helping to bring global recognition to the Bagh printing tradition.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite news |title=Bagh artist Abdul Khatri bags UNESCO 2018 award in Qatar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bagh-artist-abdul-khatri-bags-unesco-2018-award-in-qatar/articleshow/67648631.cms |work=The Times of India |date=23 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="Pioneer">{{Cite news |title=Bagh artisan Abdul Kadar Khatri bags UNESCO–World Craft Council Award |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/bagh-artisan-abdul-kadar-khatri-bags-unesco--world-craft-council-award.html |work=The Pioneer |date=14 January 2019}}</ref> From his workshop in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, Khatri also developed initiatives to promote Bagh printing on the world stage while supporting the livelihoods of local artisans.<ref name="Pioneer" />

== Techniques and innovations ==

Khatri was known for blending traditional Bagh printing methods with bold innovations that expanded the scope of the craft. He worked with natural dyes such as alizarin, alum, and rust of iron to maintain the characteristic red and black palette, while also creating new motifs inspired by geometric, floral, and contemporary patterns.<ref name="Pioneer" /> He further extended the tradition by applying Bagh prints to unconventional materials such as bamboo ''chiks'', leather, and jute, making him one of the first artisans to adapt the practice beyond textiles.<ref name="Pioneer" /> By reinterpreting wooden block designs for modern uses, he ensured that Bagh printing remained relevant in both domestic and international markets.<ref name="Pioneer" />

==Recognitions/honours==
* National Award by [[List of presidents of India|Former President of India]] [[Pratibha Patil]] from [[Ministry of Textiles]], [[Government of India]] at [[Vigyan Bhawan]], [[New Delhi]], India in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://handicrafts.nic.in/awards/na2005.pdf |title=National Awardees of Handicrafts Sector for the Year 2005 |publisher=Office of the Development Commissioner ( Handicrafts) |website=handicrafts.nic.in |page=1 |date=29 July 2011 |access-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102142525/http://handicrafts.nic.in/awards/na2005.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Rare-Kalamkari-Pattachitra-handicrafts-to-go-on-display-Wednesday/articleshow/54784328.cms |title=Rare Kalamkari, Pattachitra handicrafts to go on display Wednesday | Mumbai News |website=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 October 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/WriteReadData/downloads/handloom_2017.pdf |title=List of Craftspersons / S.no. 88 |website=}}</ref>
* State Award by former [[List of governors of Madhya Pradesh|Governor of Madhya Pradesh]] [[M. A. Khan|Kunwar Mahmud Ali Khan]] in 1991.
* International [[Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts|Award of Excellence for Handicrafts]] by [[UNESCO]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://emsindia.com/NewsDetail?q=2838D1910E57D8BC47A737A228090765 |title=(भोपाल) बाग प्रिंर्ट्स अब्दुल कादर खत्री यूनेस्को अर्न्तराष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार से सम्मानित |website=EMS India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.patrika.com/bhopal-news/six-thousand-blocks-prepared-in-six-months-fifteen-feet-long-3999845/ |title=एक हजार ब्लॉक्स से छह माह में तैयार किया पंद्रह फीट लंबा जाजम |website=www.patrika.com|date=19 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.htsyndication.com/pioneer/article/bagh-artisan-abdul-kadar-khatri-bags-unesco%2C-world-craft-council-award/32358667 |title=Bagh artisan Abdul Kadar Khatri bags UNESCO, world craft council award}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dainiksachexpress.com/epaper/pdf/2_page6_19-01-17.pdf |title=sach Express e-paper |website=www.dainiksachexpress.com }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/mp/dhar/news/mp-news-orders-of-the-khatris-in-qatar-024621-3732349.html |title=बाग के खत्री का कतर में सम्मान |website=www.bhaskar.com |date=23 January 2019}}</ref>
* Kala Nidhi Award by Haryana Tourism at [[Surajkund#Surajkund International Crafts Mela|Surajkund International Crafts Festival]] by [[List of governors of Haryana|Governor of Haryana]] [[Kaptan Singh Solanki]] and [[List of governors of Chhattisgarh|Governor of Chhattisgarh]] [[Balram Das Tandon]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://epaper.patrika.com/442244/Indore-Patrika/19-02-2015#clip/16528069/72bb775b-2073-4201-a7c5-30980aa37d4b/381.33333333333326:426.72322375397664 |title=Rajasthan Patrika Private Limited Indore epaper dated Thu, 19 Feb 15 |website=epaper.patrika.com |access-date=5 February 2017 |archive-date=23 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123162653/http://epaper.patrika.com/442244/Indore-Patrika/19-02-2015#clip/16528069/72bb775b-2073-4201-a7c5-30980aa37d4b/381.33333333333326:426.72322375397664 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Certificate of Appreciation for Muscat Festival by [[List of diplomatic missions of India|Indian embassy]] in [[Muscat]], [[Oman]]
* Certificate of Appreciation for International Sourcing Show Melbourne by Consulate General of India in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khatri, Abdul Kadar}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Indian artisans]]
[[Category:People from Dhar district]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century printmakers]]
[[Category:21st-century printmakers]]
[[Category:Indian printmakers]]

Abdul Kadar Khatri - Revision history

DebbieLemke at 20:09, 1 September 2025