Aminabai was born in Sumrasar Jatwali, the sixth of 8 siblings, 4 brothers and four sisters. Her father raises goats and has a
herd of about 50. Her mother, Asba, was one of Kala Raksha’s first artisans. Today she no longer embroiders for a living as she
runs the government anganvadi (pre school). Aminabai’s uncle Ibrahimbhai has been Kala Raksha’s Jat embroidery coordinator
since 1998. Asba tried to get her daughter to go to school, but she didn’t like it. The teacher tried too hard to get them to come,
Aminabai recalls. Five years ago, Aminabai learned embroidery from her sister-in-law Sakinabia, and she has been working with
Kala Raksha since then. So far, she has not embroidered a traditional churi for herself. She has traveled all over Kutch, but not
beyond. For Aminabai, embroidery is livelihood. She feels that embroidery will continue because it can be done at home and is a
good means of earning for women.
Aminabai was inspired to take the KRV course by Sakinabai, who began the course in 2007 but could not complete it, and by
Karimabai, who completed the course the same year. “A good artisan can do good work, and created many designs, like Karimabai.”
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