About the film

The Indigo Factory is a journey through the rich tapestry of indigo-making and subsequent processing into fabric, set against the backdrop of India’s colonial history, which transformed an artisanal occupation into mass production in factories. This project is a homage to the legacy of indigo, a dye that has coloured our world in shades of deep blue for centuries.

The process of making indigo dye is an art form passed down through generations. It begins with the careful planting of seeds, followed by the meticulous harvesting of leaves, which are then fermented in large vats to extract the precious dye. The dye is then used to colour the yarn, spun into thread and woven into fabric.

Despite the advent of synthetic dyes, indigo-making and handloom-weaving traditions continue to support the livelihoods of many and stand as a testament to sustainable practices in a world leaning towards organic and natural products. It is a legacy that continues to dye the threads of the present with the colours of the past, ensuring that the story of India’s ​‘blue gold’ lives on.

Hosted by IHA in collaboration with Azim Premji University.

Watch the trailer

Discussion

The documentary will be followed by a discussion with the director, Sashi Sivramkrishna. He will be in conversation with Sharmadip Basu, Faculty, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. 

About the Director

An economist by training and profession, Sashi Sivramkrishna has been passionate about documentary filmmaking as a way to communicate the simplicity as well as the complexities of the real world in which we live. He has scripted and directed films across environmental, historical and ethnographical subjects.