Champaben was born in Nagar Parkar, Pakistan, and migrated to India when she was 7. From 1972, she lived in Jura Camp, and in 1980 her family settled in Sumrasar. Champaben learned suf embroidery from her family, by copying old pieces. In Jura camp she started to earn through embroidery. She sold her wedding embroidery, and did commercial work. “I see designs everywhere,” she says. “It is inspiration. But I can’t go anywhere alone to get orders. We need to help each other, and progress together.” When she joined Kala Raksha as a founder artisan, she became a lifetime member, and got to travel all over India.

After the earthquake of 2001, Champaben’s eyesight waned, and she left suf embroidery for patchwork and appliqué. In 2009, she decided to study at Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya. “I embroidered for years,” she says, “But I never used my brain before. When I got the colour wheel I was stumped. But by the last class I didn’t even feel like calling home. KRV gives respect to us artisans, and our work.” Champaben’s innovative quilts won the award for Best Collection in 2009.

Champaben has served as a mentor at Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya.  She participated in workshops to develop products inspired by Kala Raksha’s Museum Collections.