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Lakshmiben Kalyanji Puvar l Suf and Kharek Embroidery l Attended Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya in year 2011

Lakshmiben Kalyanji Puvar

Traditional Art: Suf and Kharek Embroidery

Born: 5-5-1989
Education: 7th Standard
Address: Faradi
Ta. Mandvi, Kutch
Mobile: 99795 03618

Lakshmiben says,

“A good artisan thinks of everything - new ideas, designs.”

Lakshmiben's family migrated from Sindh in 1972 and finally settled in Faradi, where she was born. Her father used to work in the nearby Bidada hospital. Six or seven years ago be began a ration shop for their section of the village, about 20-25 homes. Lakshmiben is the third of four siblings. Her elder brother’s wife, her grandmother and an unmarried uncle also live with the family. Lakshmi studied to 7th grade, after which she had to leave school as there was no higher education in the village. She liked school, especially Hindi and English, and received awards for games, and memory. She also received 2nd prize for knowing about her country.

Lakshmiben learned embroidery from her mother, after finishing school. Since they did not embroider for wages, she says, she did not consider it important. After that, she did commercial work for about six years. She gave the earnings to her family, but knew she could ask for money for herself if she wanted anything. Today, her elder brother supervises a government sponsored embroidery cooperative.

Lakshmiben has been to craft exhibitions in Varanasi and Sholapur. She has also visited Powagadh and Jaipur with her family. She has seen Mount Abu, Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Dhrang and Matano Madh. She says that at first her family was wary of her going to KRV, but they support her education and quickly agreed, partly because she had traveled outside.

“A good artisan thinks of everything,” Lakshmi says “--new ideas, designs.”

Practical, she says that a good design is one that most people like.

Lakshmiben believes that the young will take their art forward. She had seen the KRV Fashion Show in 2007 and was impressed. “I knew I’d learn something,” she says. She dreams of becoming a designer and teaching others.