Lakhiben Lakhiben was born in Mosuna in Nakhtrana taluka. Her father herded camels as per Rabari tradition, but also owned a vadi and farmed. Lakhiben studied til fourth grade, and then learned embroidery from her mother and by observing others. She learned the basic stitches at home, and in spare time after working in her father’s fields, embroidered her own garments. After marriage into Vandh village, Lakhiben began to work with Kala Raksha. She learned some newer stitches, and learned to make new products. Through Kala Raksha, she participated in a design workshop taught by Krishna Patel, and went to an exhibition in Bangalore. She also served as a literacy and pre-school teacher in Kala Raksha’s basic education program.

Lakhiben’s mother-in-law graduated in the first class of KRV. Though the students met in her house, she relates, she never looked at what they were doing. She just did her own work. “But this year, I wanted to come,” she says. “When no one else from the village would come with me, I thought so hard about it I had a headache all day. Then I woke up in the morning and decided.” She hopes to expand her knowledge in KRV.

Lakhiben has served as a mentor at Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya.  She has developed products based on Kala Raksha’s Museum collections for current collections.  She also spoke at the KRV Convocation in 2009.