Lakshmiben

I met Lakshmiben in Bhuj market some years ago while I was touring Ann Morez from Belgium. She curiously asked who I was with and invited us to her home in the village Kotay. When we visited her the next day, she happily demonstrated her embroidery skills for which the Ahir community is famous for. Later we shared Chai with her son and daughter and some curious neighbors/villagers who hadn't seen "White" people this close!

Lakshmiben is about 45 years old, a widow who looks after her children on her own by working in farm as farm labor and occasionally selling small patches of embroidered cloths. Ahir community is huge and they are farmers in general. Women from Ahir community are known for practicing "Ahir Embroidery" which is inspired from their connections with farms, birds and animals. The community, even today, exchanges embroidered gifts which is a very old tradition in Gujarat. Most of the girls before their marriage will embroider some pieces for herself and her family which was never commercially produced but in last 40 years or so, with the change in culture and tradition and also the need to earn money, this made embroidery a commercial activity. There are some local Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) who regularly supports various women of Kutch and help them sell their embroidered products through their networks. However there are some scattered women far away from the reach of these NGOs or any other support, i.e. Lakshmiben.

Today Lakshmiben happily hosts visitors at her home and teaches them primary embroidery (chain stitch and mirror work) besides that she cooks delicious Kutchi meal for her visitors.

For more details please write an email to unitedartisansofkutch@gmail.com

Thanks and greetings!

United Artisans of Kutch

Ps. Latest update : Due to family circumstances she has moved to Madhapar village and has been working as a Cook for a family.