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Varshaben Uttambhai Bhanani l Suf and Kharek Embroidery l Attended Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya in year 2008

Varshaben Uttambhai Bhanani

Traditional Art: Suf and Kharek Embroidery

Date of Birth: 1990
Education: 7th Grade
Address: Post- Sumrasar-Sheikh,
Ta. Bhuj
Phone: (02808) 277206

Varshaben says
“We went to the beach. I had never seen it like that before! Now, I am thinking that we learned about contrast, complementary, primary and secondary colours, but how do we name all of the others?”

Varshaben was born in Sumrasar Sheikh, to parents who migrated from Nagar Parkar, Pakistan, in 1972. She attended school to 7th grade, and considered further education, but there were no other girls who would accompany her to Bhuj for classes. From an early age Varsha had a pension for embroidery. She learned suf from her mother when she was in 5th grade, and would come home at recess to stitch with her two elder sisters, who worked with Kala Raksha. Varshaben began working with Kala Raksha as soon as she had learned suf well, and through the organization she has attended exhibitions in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and a design workshops taught by intern Sanchit Gupta. Varshaben likes to create patterns that she can do herself, without help. She learns directly, and she always does her own designs. She is inspired by looking at dowry collections, but knows that only unique work brings praise. Varshaben sees new designs in her mind. As for the future of suf embroidery, Varshaben feels that its importance is social and cultural—and it satisfies the need to decorate. For her, it is an art. She feels that if designs keep evolving, suf work will increase. In any case, a suf artisan has only a short time to create, as the art requires keen eyesight. Varshaben will not reveal her dreams to anyone, but she does hope to learn tailoring and computer skills, as well as design.

Varshaben has served as a mentor at Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya. She has participated in workshops to develop products inspired by the Kala Raksha Museum collections. Recently she participated in the Ahmedabad Fashion Week.