The traditional art of Bag Print from the state of Madhya Pradesh presented itself on the international stage in the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. Artisan Mohammed Arif Khatri from Bag, Dhar district, demonstrated his mastery at the 'Indo-Sri Lanka Ceylon Craft Week 2026' event, which took place from October 29 to November 1.
During the exhibition, an Indian representative, Santosh Jha, highly praised the Bag Print art. Mohammed Arif Khatri told the Indian representative Santosh Jha, employees of the Indian Embassy, and other guests about the historical origin of Bag Print.
He detailed the traditional technique of manual block printing, the use of natural dyes, and this craft tradition passed down through generations. The specialty of Bag Print saris and other fabrics is their traditional design, the depth of natural colors, and the hand printing. In each piece, the master's skill, patience, and traditional knowledge are evident.
The joint organization of the 'Indo-Sri Lanka Ceylon Craft Week 2026' is carried out by the National Council of Crafts and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of the Sri Lankan government. The goal of this event is to promote the exchange of traditional crafts, handicrafts, and cultural heritage between India and Sri Lanka.
The demonstration of Bag Print on the international platform provided an opportunity to present the traditional handicraft art of Madhya Pradesh and the talent of local artisans to a global audience.