Artisans and Hospitality

I have not had time to write up all the wonderful experiences we have had in the homes and workshops of artisans and traditional people, looking at their craft and produce.  I thought a few photos, however, would give some idea of what we have been up to.  The way I see it, the embroidery and craft work is an interest we share and it also gives us a point of connection with people whose lives are so very different from our own  - a little window of insight here and there, a shared laugh, curiosities tentatively explored ....  The visits of people like us also provides an much needed income from their craft.  

A very large parcel will shortly be on its way to the Lady Denman!!

I should perhaps mention that I have now become Robynben ... the suffix "ben" means "sister".

Photographs

1-3 - Workshop with Dr Ishmael Khatri and family - master block printers - Sheelagh with her sample piece of work.

4 - Beading workshop.  Our teenage tutors were very skilled and we were not.  A lot of fun.

5 - Weaving demonstration - one of several.  A lot of very fine work, done in dusty outdoor shelters.

6 - Master tie dyer (bhandani), Alimahmout Isha, showing us his version of the rolled hem. (forget the hippy stuff - this is fine fine fine work, more like Japanese shibori)

7 - another Khatri dyer ... with some very finely tied fabric about to hit a pot of madder dye.  Their father, who was also there, was a bank manager (for the interest of my family).  This particular piece of work is coming home with Leslie.

8. - Raniben, a famous embroiderer and initiator of a co-operative at her front door - she invited us home for a cup of chai after a workshop at the co-operative.  She has been to America as an invited guest.

9. - The very proud husband of Raniben

10 - The home of an extremely talented embroideress whose face cannot be shown, and who cannot leave her village because of the traditions of her community.

11. Villagers showing off their embroideries for sale.  A lot of past dowry work is now considered superfluous, but it seems a shame ...

12 - My tutor, Ramiben, a traditional Rabari woman, who is a team leader in the Kala Raksha co-operative.  We really enjoyed our time together - she was an excellent teacher and we made a good team.