One person who has been pioneering the use of natural dyes ever since she took up the project of reviving the GI-tagged Udupi saree is Mamatha Rai, president of Kadike Trust.
Rai was always aware of the use of areca nut dye as she was a customer of the fabrics made by Charaka — a women’s cooperative society in the Bheemanakone village of Karnataka.
India is the largest producer and consumer of areca nut, which is commonly called supari or betel nut. Botanically called Areca catechu, this palm is also grown in the Pacific and Asia.
The first batch of over 35 areca-dyed sarees was manufactured in a variety of designs. The response was overwhelming and all sarees were prebooked and sold out in a short period.
While Rai is integral in the dyeing of these sarees, she has also been conducting workshops and training programs through the Trust about using this planet-friendly dye.
“Using areca, the dye bath can be used multiple times to create different shades of brown and pink. The water used during dyeing can be reused for irrigation and washing,” adds Rai.
“The effect that chemical dyes have on the environment can be detrimental. So, it is the responsibility of each one of us to support organizations using natural dyes,” concludes Rai.