Abdul Kadar Khatri


Abdul Kadar Khatri was an Indian master craftsman of traditional hand block printing known as Bagh Print. He was the son of Ismail Sulemanji Khatri, founder of Bagh print. 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 state from across the globe by showcasing his exceptional talent in Bagh Print in many countries. His family has been working in the trade of Traditional Bagh Hand Block print since the 7th century.
His work was appreciated by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Martand Singh, Laila Tyabji, and Ṛta Kapur Chishti.
Abdul Kadar Khatri experimented incorporating modernity in the wood blocks and colours.

Early life

Abdul Kadar was born on 1 April 1961 to a Muslim family in 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. His ancestors, the Khatri community, who comprise the 'chhipas' or printers, were originally from Larkana in Sindh, 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. 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. His primary innovation was creating the Bagh Print on different types of cloth by printing on them.

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. 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.

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. 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. By reinterpreting wooden block designs for modern uses, he ensured that Bagh printing remained relevant in both domestic and international markets.

Recognitions/honours