Kunvarben was born in Harodi. She is the youngest of 6 sisters. Her only brother died. In childhood she migrated with the family
herd of sheep and goats, and she continued to migrate after marriage. “I have been as far as Madhya Pradesh, and I have seen
Kolkata,” she says. “The whole world comes between.” Kunvarben has two sons, two daughters, and 2 grandchildren. The family all
lives together. Her husband sold his herd and retired. Her son has a flour mill, some cows and 10-15 camels. Kunvarben learned
embroidery from her mother and sisters, who are married in Bhadroi. She embroidered a toran set, she recalls, and many densely
stitched traditional pieces. After the community elders banned traditional work, she did stitching for income. A year ago she and her
daughters-in-law joined Kala Raksha when the narrative project was in process. Now, they have a new group of artisans.
After that she did work for sale, whatever came to the village, until Kala Raksha came two years ago. Today she works with Kala
Raksha. “If your heart is open you will learn, I am already learning something day by day!”
Kunvarben has
served as a mentor at Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya. She participated in workshops to
develop products inspired by Kala Raksha’s Museum Collections, and was very
successful as a design intern. Her unconventional, asymmetrical style has been
highly appreciated. |