Indian students explore Nantong blue calico
(english.jsjyt.edu.cn) Updated：2019-10-28
An inheritor of blue calico guides Indian students to engrave their desired patterns on the plate. [Photo by Song Chenglin/jschina.com.cn]
A group of 25 Indian students, who were studying at the Medical School of Nantong University, took a cultural trip to explore the printing and dyeing techniques of local blue calico on Oct 28.
Blue calico, or blue cloth with design in white, is an important role in Nantong rural area and also widely used in daily life for its wear-resistance and sweat-absorption. About 95 percent of rural families use self-woven white cloth to dye into blue calico and then use it in various household applications.
The students were introduced to blue calico's printing and dyeing techniques as well as its bright and harmonious styles – patterns mostly depict plants, flowers and animals to express people's pursuit for a better life.
They also tried their hands on engraving their desired patterns on the plate, mixing the paste – which is made from soybean flour, lime powder and water – onto a grey cloth, dyeing the cloth for six to eight times, and scraping out the paste on the cloth to fix its blue and white design.
The tradition was handed down from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). It was a national intangible cultural heritage. A museum was set up in Nantong in 1996 to honor the handicraft.
