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Babraben was born Dungri, Nagar Parkar (Sindh). In 1972, when she was about 12, her family migrated to Tharad. She still remembers Pakistan. Her father was a weaver and farmer, there, and she had 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Babraben married in Tharad, but the family moved to Sumrasar. At first they lived in a rented bhungo, then they bought land and built a home. Babraben has 3 sons. Her only daughter Nirmala graduated from KRV in 2009.

Bababen learned suf and kharek embroidery at the age of 10 or 12 from her grandmother in Sindh. A fast and focused artisan, she became one of the founding trustees of Kala Raksha. Adventurous as well, she embroidered the first sample on matka silk, and received a round of applause. Babraben was one of two artisans who went to Delhi for the first Kala Raksha exhibition. She has also traveled to
Ahmedabad for Kala Raksha Trustee meetings. She has participated in design workshops with Nita Thakore, Hazel Lutz, Latha Tummuru and Krishna ... Show more

Babraben was born Dungri, Nagar Parkar (Sindh). In 1972, when she was about 12, her family migrated to Tharad. She still remembers Pakistan. Her father was a weaver and farmer, there, and she had 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Babraben married in Tharad, but the family moved to Sumrasar. At first they lived in a rented bhungo, then they bought land and built a home. Babraben has 3 sons. Her only daughter Nirmala graduated from KRV in 2009.

Bababen learned suf and kharek embroidery at the age of 10 or 12 from her grandmother in Sindh. A fast and focused artisan, she became one of the founding trustees of Kala Raksha. Adventurous as well, she embroidered the first sample on matka silk, and received a round of applause. Babraben was one of two artisans who went to Delhi for the first Kala Raksha exhibition. She has also traveled to
Ahmedabad for Kala Raksha Trustee meetings. She has participated in design workshops with Nita Thakore, Hazel Lutz, Latha Tummuru and Krishna Patel, as well as a patchwork skills up gradation workshop in the early years of Kala Raksha. In 2003 she was the 2nd highest patchwork earner at Kala Raksha. In 2008, she won first prize.

For Babraben, art is livelihood. She is happy to be an artisan. “This is hand art,” she says; “it is our respect. Money comes and goes but respect is important Babraben feels that if textile arts increase it would be good. But
education is first. “We should study, then see what happens,” she says. “We must take advantage of learning design. If we don’t go out, we have no chance.”

Babraben has many dreams, especially for her family’s welfare. Her expectation from KRV is to learn. “If I learn it I can use it,” she says. “I won’t have to hesitate in the future.”

In 2010, Babraben attended Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya. She learned to work in new media and see in new ways. She applied her mind to her work.

Babraben will graduate in November 2010
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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