Women of Barmer

The Social Work Research Centre of Dhanau, a small village in the Barmer district of western Rajasthan, works with 300 women artisans who earn income from their needlework.

Barmer Applique

Barmer applique was traditionally sewn on bedspreads of black or brown bases. Motifs were almost entirely inspired by nature: trees, leaves, flowers and animals. Women in six villages in Rajasthan produce these appliques. An elaborate bedspread may take nearly a month to complete.

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Home > Bandhej (Tiedye)

Bandhej (Tiedye)

Traditionally, tiedye is produced without a pattern and variations are created based on eight basic designs. Only one family in the village of Hari Singh Lamba continues to tiedye fabric this way. Twenty years ago, 25 families in this village earned a living from bandhej. Twelve women in Pachipala produce bandhej using a simpler method based on a pattern marked on the fabric.