In recent years, interest in natural dyes, its production and usage, has surged among environmentalists, traditional artists, and cultural activists alike. Unlike synthetic dyes that have dominated the market since their invention in 1856, natural dyes are renewable and environmentally-friendly. They can also be employed by researchers and archeologists for the conversion and restoration of old textiles. In an effort to better understand the historic development and modern applications of natural dyes, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) joined with the Craft Council of India to host the first International Symposium/Workshop on Natural Dyes which was held in Hyderabad, India from the 5th to the 12th of November.

Sarvenaz Ghanean, in charge of Natural Dyeing Laboratory of Traditional Arts Research Center

The Symposium brought together master craftspeople, specialists in natural dyes and crafts, and academics from nearly fifty-seven countries. During the Symposiums eight sessions, participants were provided the opportunity to learn more about the decline and revival of natural dyes, their social impact, their role in economic development and sustainable growth, and the role of governments and non-governmental organizations in developing and promoting the use of natural dyes.

Leading specialists in the field also put forth more than fifty presentations on numerous subjects related to natural dyes. Moreover, more than thirty interactive workshops were held on new printing and dyeing methods which were greatly welcomed by the participants at the Symposium and many had to be re-scheduled by the organizers to meet the public demand.

Representatives from the different participating countries also put forth workshops on techniques and crafts specific to their country. The Symposium also included two art exhibition showcasing dyed textiles from across the world along with "Naturally... the bazaar", a week-long trade fair by weavers, craftsmen, and commercial enterprises. Participants were also provided with the opportunity to learn about natural dyes first-hand on day trips to local dyeing vats and weaving factories.

The Symposium aimed to establish a database on existing natural plant dyes and traditional production processes; to stimulate research in new biological sources and technical possibilities in contemporary textile production, and to discuss the efforts underway to revive the use of natural dyes and improve the present process of dyeing. It also focused on the various procedures being employed by different countries in the natural dyeing process and set out to share experiences and ideas on the key problems and major prospects facing natural-dyed products in the international market along with promoting joint efforts and technical cooperation programs. Participants also emphasized the need for establishing such links and took advantage of the time provided to learn more about activities in other parts of the world.

Ms. Sarvenaz Ghanean, a graduate from Amirkabir University of Technology and instructor and in charge of Natural Dyeing Laboratory of Traditional Arts Research Center, represented the Islamic Republic of Iran and provided a presentation on "Color Gamut of Natural dyes Used for Persian Woolen Carpet" in the fifth session of the Symposium. In her presentation she discussed her recent research on how to use the Principal Component Analysis method to obtain the basis functions and color gamut of natural dyes used for Persian carpet, as well as the comparison between natural dyes with synthetic ones and Munsell color chips. The presentation was well-received by the audience who were very interested to learn more about Persian carpets and techniques used in their production.