Rangrez/Nilgar
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Chowhan, Govi, Lodhi, Solanki [West Bengal] | Chowhan, Govi, Lodhi, Solanki [West Bengal] | ||
Exogamous units/clans (gotra): Anantabasudeva, Nagaswa [Orissa] | Exogamous units/clans (gotra): Anantabasudeva, Nagaswa [Orissa] | ||
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| + | This profession, quite distinct from that of the Rangrez, is followed by a low class of Muhammadans, and in Dacca only three or four families of them are to be met with. | ||
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| + | Indigo is the only dye they use, and after pounding the colour very fine, it is dissolved in water in a large earthen vessel (Matka) half sunk in the ground. Lime, fuller's earth, and the seeds of a leguminous plant, called "Chokar," bought from the Chamain women, are added. This lye, on standing, ferments, and the dye is then ready for use. The Nilgar dyes cloth and thread, and so long as any colour remains in the vat, goes on using the liquid, regardless of the shade of blue imparted. | ||
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| + | There is a well known proverb in India, employed to express the fickleness of fortune which is derived from this trade: "Nil ka math bigar giya," literally, "The Indigo vat has been spoiled." The Nilgar believes that when dye has been accidentally damaged, he has only to tell some miraculous, or incredible, story and it will be rectified. So, whenever a Munchausen tells a story, this proverb is repeated by the listener to politely express doubts of its truth. | ||
| + | =Notes= | ||
Latest revision as of 12:08, 15 November 2017
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)
[edit] Rangrez/Nilgar
Synonyms: Lilgar, Nilgar, Rangraz, Sabbagh [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Nilgar [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Bilgar, Lilgar [West Bengal] Groups/subgroups: Lilgar, Nilgar, Rangrez [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Bandistare, Chippa, Chunrigar, Lalgar, Lilgar, Sheikh [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Chimpiga (tailor), Unupulavadu (dyer) [E. Thurston]
- Subcastes: Bhat, Chandewal, Chauhan, Desi, Deswaia, Gaur, Ghosi, Gual Pathan, Hard, Kamangar, Khatri, Muttani,
Nilgar, Pathan, Qurashi, Sadiqi, Shaikh, Usmani in North West Provinces [W. Crooke] Surnames: Ahmed, Alam, Chouhan, Solanki [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Ahmad, Rasheed, Siddiqui [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Behera, Sahu, Senapati, Subudhi [Orissa] Chowhan, Govi, Lodhi, Solanki [West Bengal] Exogamous units/clans (gotra): Anantabasudeva, Nagaswa [Orissa]
This profession, quite distinct from that of the Rangrez, is followed by a low class of Muhammadans, and in Dacca only three or four families of them are to be met with.
Indigo is the only dye they use, and after pounding the colour very fine, it is dissolved in water in a large earthen vessel (Matka) half sunk in the ground. Lime, fuller's earth, and the seeds of a leguminous plant, called "Chokar," bought from the Chamain women, are added. This lye, on standing, ferments, and the dye is then ready for use. The Nilgar dyes cloth and thread, and so long as any colour remains in the vat, goes on using the liquid, regardless of the shade of blue imparted.
There is a well known proverb in India, employed to express the fickleness of fortune which is derived from this trade: "Nil ka math bigar giya," literally, "The Indigo vat has been spoiled." The Nilgar believes that when dye has been accidentally damaged, he has only to tell some miraculous, or incredible, story and it will be rectified. So, whenever a Munchausen tells a story, this proverb is repeated by the listener to politely express doubts of its truth.
