Batticaloa's 'block' legacy

By Hiranthi Fernando

But of the estimated 50,000 looms in the Batticaloa District before the war intervened, most are not in use today. The war apart, the high cost of yarn makes it difficult for the struggling textile weavers of Batticaloa to compete with imported products, which are available at cheaper prices.

"My father started block printing in 1947, making his own dyes from natural substances such as beetroot, carrot, betel, arecanut, tea and herbs," P.M.Omerdeen's son Omerdeen Abdul Wahab said. "The blocks were made with his own hands, using wood and brass." 

Kattankudy being just three kilometres from Batticaloa, most of the tourists who came to see the famous singing fish of Batticaloa, visited the Omerdeens' thriving cottage industry, which was carried out from their home. 

Omerdeen Snr.'s block printed textiles won an award in the early 1960s, when they were exhibited in England through the Ministry of Textile Industries. Then with the introduction of imported chemical dyes, the manufacturing process was speeded up. Omerdeen Snr. also got on to screen printing with these dyes. 

"When my father's business was flourishing in Kattankudy, Mrs. Barbara Sansoni's husband Justice Sansoni was the District Judge at Batticaloa. Mrs. Sansoni (who later launched the well-known 'Barefoot' handloom venture) was very interested in the process and I remember she often came and watched my father at work."

"My father was the pioneer in introducing Discharge Printing," Abdul Wahab added. He explained that in this method, the entire material was first dyed in one colour. Then a chemical was applied on the block, which was stamped on the dyed material. The chemical on the block absorbed the colour leaving the design imprinted on the original colour of the cloth. The chemicals used in Discharge Printing contained explosive substances such as potassium chlorate, potassium permanganate and aniline salt. These were banned in the late 1960s and early 1970s, after ethnic warfare broke out in the North and East. 

Omerdeen who supplied his products to Laksala, Salu Sala and the CWE printed about ten to fifteen saris each day. They were called 'Pachchavadam'. 'Pathavi' with the mango designs were also printed as well as chintz. Gold and silver printing was done on special orders. They maintained a workforce of around 400, providing them with all three meals in addition to their wages. 

After Omerdeen's death in 1974, the business had to be curtailed due to the unrest in the area. However, one son Omerdeen Abdul Majeed, who trained in India, remained in Kattankudy and continues textile printing in a small way even now.

The family has preserved over a thousand blocks intricately carved in wood or made in wood and metal by Omerdeen Snr. for the printing of textiles. Many of these blocks could be touched up for use. There were blocks for all over designs as well as borders, one even depicting the singing fish.

Abdul Wahab said his family is keen to restore the enterprise his father started. "If someone can join in this venture, there is talent in the family," he said.  

More Plus

Return to Plus Contents