Bhagvatiben was born in Nagar Parkar, Pakistan. She migrated at age 1 to Tharad, in 1971. Bhagvati learned embroidery from Mother. But before she could marry, her mother died, so Bhagvati had to raise her three younger siblings. Fifteen years ago, she was married in Tharad and moved to Sumrasar. She now lives with her husband, who serves in the Border Wing in Kutch, and her in-laws. Her mother in law Gomtiben Ganesh began the KRV course in 2008 but could not complete it.
Bhagvatiben has visited Junagadh, Somnath, Matano Madh, and Ahmedabad for pilgrimages. Working with Kala Raksha, she has also had opportunities to travel to Mumbai for exhibitions, and to attend design workshops with Sangita Shroff and Krishna Patel. A good artisan, she feels, does good work, including composition, technique, good colours, and appropriate treatment of a product.
“Art is our livelihood- with comfort,” she says. “It is for our own use, our independence. We can use art for ourselves if we wish. If embroidery continues in the future, it will be good for us.” Bhagvatiben expects to learn at KRV. Then she will teach. “Everyone has dreams,” she says. “But it’s up to us to fulfill them.”
After graduating,
Bhagvatiben joined the Kala Raksha staff as Production Assistant. |