Tilonia - Artisans of India

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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Embroidery

Embroidery is traditionally a skill of the women of the Sind area in Pakistan, but is now found in Barmer, Kutch and parts of Bikaner. Elaborately embroidered items were given to a girl at the time of her marriage. Each of her blouses (kanchili) was embroidered by her mother. The Barefoot College, began working in the Barmer district in 1988 in an attempt to pay fair wages, develop new designs and preserve the craft. Today, the College helps market the embroidery of 150 women.