Rangrez, A Muslim Marwari Dyeing Community

Rangrez

A Muslim Marwari Dyeing Community of Kolkata

Also see: Vanishing Professions of Kolkata (Calcutta)

Cloth, as well as yearns, of bright shades hanging from terraces to dry, is a common sight around the area of Nakhoda Masjid, in Chitpur area of Central Kolkata. This is the world of Rangrez!!!

A dyeing process in progress in a Rangrez Workshop, near Nakhoda Masjid, Chitpur, Kolkata

Rangrez, a Muslim Marwari speaking community, dyes for a living. Today the rangrez community in Kolkata numbers around 3000 and few of families still practice the traditional method of dyeing.

Bhistis of Calcutta (Kolkata) ~ A vanishing tribe

Bhistis of Calcutta (Kolkata)

~ A Vanishing Tribe ~

Also see: Vanishing Professions of Kolkata (Calcutta)

“The finest man I knew

Was our regimental Bhisti, Gunga Din.”

Gunga Din (1892) poem by Rudward Kipling

Bhisti (water carrier) with Masak (goat skin bag), Bow Barracks, Calcutta (Kolkata)

Once an indispensable part of Calcutta’s (Kolkata’s) water supply of both domestic and public purposes  today the bhistis are  fast vanishing tribe.