Traditional Art: Rabari Embroidery
Born: 1972
No Formal Education

Lakhiben was born in Sambra, in Lakhpat Taluka. Her mother died when she was 2, and she was brought up by her father’s sister, who taught her embroidery when she was 12. After marriage, Lakhiben lived in Ravapar, where her husband worked on a farm. Eight years ago they moved back to Vandh, and Lakhiben has worked with the Equal Craft partner organization, Kala Raksha since then. Lakhiben believes the future of embroidery is assured. Rabaris need embroidery; it is a part of their dress. And it creates joy and festivity. Young people love fashion, she says. But we like what was fashion in our own time. Her daughter attends school, and only now is learning embroidery. Both types of education are important, Lakhi says. Though she has seen little of the world, and feels limited by lack of education, Lakhiben says that if she has the support and company of others she might like to venture out.

In October 2005, Kala Raksha launched a design school for working traditional artisans of Kutch and Tejuben attended a series of courses on design and marketing.

In the first course, Colour, Basic Design, Sourcing from Nature and Heritage, Lakhiben learned colour interaction and elements of design. She illustrated high and low contrast colours in a series of Gujarati alphabets, and design elements in embroidered posters. Putting all of this together, she embroidered a blouse for a familymember. The style is new yet appeals to traditional taste.

“We did colour work, akhro and mathu. I know the primary colours. I understood from the transparent papers how they mix to make other colours. We enjoyed this.”

In Course 2, Market Orientation, Lakhiben visited Ahmedabad with her classmates. She saw NID, many shops, and met individuals who appreciate crafts. On return, she embroidered a rumal for Mr. and Mrs. Nadkar. It shows her impression of Ahmedabad. For homework, Lakhiben embroidered a product for an imaginary character.

In Course 3, Concept, Communication, Projects, Lakhiben learned to work from a theme. Taking the theme of jungle, she developed a motif bank and embroidered a mobile cover, a wall hanging, and a bolster cover. In course 4, Finishing, she added details to increase the value of these products.

“We know the elements of design. We knew subjects too, but never thought to take them into design.”

In Course 5, Merchandising, Presentation, Lakhiben learned to document her work. She mounted finishing samples from Course 4, created a hang tag based on her theme, and learned to display and explain herwork.

For her final collection, Lakhiben embroidered a set of home furnishings, including a quilt, bedsheet, cushions and pillow covers, based on her theme, Jungle. She developed a vocabulary of decorative and narrative motifs, repeated to unify the products.

“At first we thought how will these colours look? New combinations? Now we know how to use them. We know how to create for others. If we concentrate we can do it again. Now we have confidence to take up themes. I did the quality I would do for myself. We all worked together without conflict.”

Lakhiben presented her home furnishing collection to the jury and eagerly absorbed their critique. This courageous artisan who nearly left the course due to family troubles, returned to share the award for Best Collection!

Lakhiben and her home furnishing design colleagues walked the ramp. Lakhiben received her graduation certificate with achievement and pride.