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Paper bag maker in India. (© Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar / CC BY-SA 3.0)

How One Town Keeps India's 500-year-old Papermaking Industry Alive (Video)

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The town of Sanganer, located in the western state of Rajasthan in India, is home to a 500-year-old papermaking industry. The paper factories in Sanganer still produce handmade paper the traditional way, one sheet at a time, using techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Despite facing challenges from colonization and foreign competition, the papermaking industry in Sanganer has managed to survive and thrive.

One such paper factory is Kalpana Handmade Paper Industries, where skilled craftsmen work tirelessly to produce high-quality handmade paper using traditional methods. The process of making paper involves boiling rags to extract fibers, beating the fibers into a pulp, and then pouring the pulp onto a mesh screen to dry. This time-consuming process requires skill and patience, but it produces paper of exceptional quality that is highly valued by artists, designers, and craftspeople all over the world. By keeping the traditional craft alive, the papermaking industry in Sanganer is not only preserving a vital part of India's cultural heritage but also providing a livelihood for the local community.

Top image: Paper bag maker in India. (© Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar / CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Joanna Gillan

 
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Joanna

Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 

Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the field of Educational Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching... Read More

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