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Varshaben is one of the best educated young women in her community. Her father, an officer in the Border Wing, took college courses and wanted his daughter to study. In school, Varshaben was recognized in dramas and recitation competitions.

But she learned her traditional embroidery by herself, by watching family members and relatives. Today, she embroiders for her own use as well as for Kala Raksha. Through Kala Raksha exhibitions she has traveled to Delhi and Mumbai.
Varshaben believes the future of embroidery depends on sale. She would like to learn cutting, sewing, and photography as well as design for her embroidery.

In 2007, Varshaben attended Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya, where she learned to access her capability. “I was too shy to speak,” she says, “and now I can address a large audience.” Varshaben’s creative collection of men’s wear broke the bounds of traditional suf embroidery, with its stylized butterfly motifs, ... Show more

Varshaben is one of the best educated young women in her community. Her father, an officer in the Border Wing, took college courses and wanted his daughter to study. In school, Varshaben was recognized in dramas and recitation competitions.

But she learned her traditional embroidery by herself, by watching family members and relatives. Today, she embroiders for her own use as well as for Kala Raksha. Through Kala Raksha exhibitions she has traveled to Delhi and Mumbai.
Varshaben believes the future of embroidery depends on sale. She would like to learn cutting, sewing, and photography as well as design for her embroidery.

In 2007, Varshaben attended Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya, where she learned to access her capability. “I was too shy to speak,” she says, “and now I can address a large audience.” Varshaben’s creative collection of men’s wear broke the bounds of traditional suf embroidery, with its stylized butterfly motifs, and she received the award for Most Marketable Collection of 2007. Varshaben proved to be a natural teacher when she mentored subsequent KRV classes, and she addressed the Convocation audience in 2009. Today she serves as an Artisan Designer for Kala Raksha, and travels to Delhi and Mumbai for exhibitions. “A good artisan can make varied pieces,” Varshaben says, “and the colours of her work should shine.”

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Varshaben Pratapbhai Rathod'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