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The eldest of 8 sisters, Karimabai grew up in Mankuva, where she lived on her grandparents’ farm and helped tend the cattle til 1999. Though she never attended school, she learned Gujarati from Patel neighbors and, once she moved to Sumrasar Jatwali, in Kala Raksha classes.

After the earthquake of 2001 destroyed the village, Karimabai learned embroidery from a relative and earned through Kala Raksha’s matching grant rehabilitation program. She learned one pattern on a spectacle case and taught herself the rest. Through Kala Raksha, Karimabai participated in the 2005 Sharad Utsav mela, and in 2006 participated in a design workshop conducted by Reena Panchal. During the course she participated in a workshop with Thai artisans in Delhi
Though she has never embroidered the traditional churi, she enjoys embroidery. “If we do good work, orders come and the embroidery will increase,” she says.

In 2007, Karimabai attended Kala Raksha ... Show more

The eldest of 8 sisters, Karimabai grew up in Mankuva, where she lived on her grandparents’ farm and helped tend the cattle til 1999. Though she never attended school, she learned Gujarati from Patel neighbors and, once she moved to Sumrasar Jatwali, in Kala Raksha classes.

After the earthquake of 2001 destroyed the village, Karimabai learned embroidery from a relative and earned through Kala Raksha’s matching grant rehabilitation program. She learned one pattern on a spectacle case and taught herself the rest. Through Kala Raksha, Karimabai participated in the 2005 Sharad Utsav mela, and in 2006 participated in a design workshop conducted by Reena Panchal. During the course she participated in a workshop with Thai artisans in Delhi
Though she has never embroidered the traditional churi, she enjoys embroidery. “If we do good work, orders come and the embroidery will increase,” she says.

In 2007, Karimabai attended Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya. For a year, she studied design.

In January 2008, Karimabai presented her final collection of home furnishings with poise and confidence. She and her home furnishing colleagues walked the ramp together.
And Karimabai graduated with grace, the first Jat woman to achieve this honour.
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Karimabai Adhrehman Jat's Featured Product

Kala Raksha Trust, a grassroots social enterprise, is dedicated to preservation of traditional arts. We envision this broadly, as holistic encouraging of the creative capacity of the artist. Comprising artisans, community members, and experts in the fields of art, design and museums, Kala Raksha was founded on artisan initiative in 1993 in the desert region Kutch, in India. Uniquely committed to documenting existing traditions, the Trust maintains a collection of heirloom textiles housed as a local Museum. Artisans participated in establishing this Museum. Thus it embodies a simple but revolutionary concept: involve people in presenting their own cultures. Artisan initiative and participation continue to be the ... Show more

Kala Raksha Trust, a grassroots social enterprise, is dedicated to preservation of traditional arts. We envision this broadly, as holistic encouraging of the creative capacity of the artist. Comprising artisans, community members, and experts in the fields of art, design and museums, Kala Raksha was founded on artisan initiative in 1993 in the desert region Kutch, in India. Uniquely committed to documenting existing traditions, the Trust maintains a collection of heirloom textiles housed as a local Museum. Artisans participated in establishing this Museum. Thus it embodies a simple but revolutionary concept: involve people in presenting their own cultures. Artisan initiative and participation continue to be the pillars of Kala Raksha's work. Artisan Design Committees create exquisite contemporary work based in their traditions. Artisan Pricing Committees establish fair wages. Finally, artisans participate in sale of their work, linking them directly to their market. What Kala Raksha preserves is the essence of art. Traditions are preserved when they flourish. Show less