Tejuben Soma Rabari

Traditional Art: Dhebaria Rabari Embroidery
Location: Kukadsar Ta. Mundra, Kutch, India

Tejuben was born in Dhaneti and as a child migrated in Kutch, spending all but a few months of the rainy season wandering with the flock and a few pack camels, setting up rudimentary camps. Tejuben never attended school, but learned embroidery from her sister at age 11. widowed at an early age, she began to do whatever manual labour was available with several other women of the village. She practiced the highly refined traditional embroidery until it was banned by the community elders in 1995. In 1998, Tejuben began to embroider with Kala Raksha. She feels sad at the loss of their rich tradition, but is happy to have the opportunity to embroidery commercially. Embroidery fulfills her, Tejuben says.

Tejuben works with the Equal Craft partner organization, Kala Raksha. 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...  READ MORE

Varshaben Pratapbhai Rathod

Traditional Art: Suf and Kharek Embroidery

Education: 7th grade

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 the Equal Craft partner organization, Kala Raksha. Through Kala Raksha exhibitions she has traveled to Delhi and Mumbai. A good artisan can make varied pieces, Varshaben says, and works with concentration. And the colours of her work should shine. 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... READ MORE

Lakhiben Varjang Rabari

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.. READ MORE