Jiliben had the fortune to grow up in Madhapar, a suburb of Bhuj. Though she attended school only til grade 3, on her own initiative she studied privately with a neighbor. Literate, she was made Kala Raksha’s first local teacher in her in-laws’ village Vandh. Jilliben was trained by Gita Rao in a two week teacher training workshop in Sumrasar in 1998.

Jiliben has also embroidered for Kala Raksha for 8 years. She is confident in the appeal of Rabari work. Kachhi Rabaris demand more and flashier work these days, she says. And the introduction of fashion into tradition insures that embroidery will flourish.

Jiliben has served as a mentor at Kala Raksha Vihdyalaya. In 2009 she was a design intern at Kala Raksha funded by COMO Foundation, and has participated in workshops to develop new products from Kala Raksha’s Museum collections.