Internationally renowned craftsman Mohammad Arif Khatri, known for Bagh print was awarded with International Award of Excellence for the year 2021-22 by UNESCO and World Crafts Council.
He has been given this award for the excellent work of Bagh Print on Kota Silk Stole.
Mohammad Arif used the Bagh print on a variety of fabrics. One of these is Kota silk fabric. Kota silk cloth is very delicate. This checkered knitted stole is very slim and light weight. Block printing on this type of fabric in the traditional way and engraving the natural colours is very complicated.
The stole of such a thin cloth has been carefully crafted and designs are inspired by many ancient buildings. Coconut nets inspired by the Taj Mahal have been used on the sides of this stole and many traditional designs have further enhanced it.
Notably, a total of 118 prizes were awarded to craftsmen from 16 countries in this handicraft event organized by the World Crafts Council under the aegis of the prestigious organization UNESCO. In which only 8 craftsmen from India have received this honor. Mohammad Arif Khatri is the only one from Madhya Pradesh out of those 8 craftsmen.
Each craft was selected by an International Selection Committee ensuring the highest standard of craft excellence.
Mohammad Arif Khatri learned the work of Bagh print art from his father, national and international award winning craftsman Abdul Kader Khatri and mother National Merit Award winner Rashida Khatri. He has exhibited his work in different cities of India and in the year 2017 he exhibited Bagh print art in Bangkok city of Thailand.