Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra, is a nonprofit art center founded in 1984 in Sandur, Karnataka. Here, 600 women artisans work, including 30-35 who collaborate with ZAZI. These artisans are part of the Lambani tribe, historically a nomadic people from Rajasthan, North-West Gujarat, and Western Madhya Pradesh, as well as Eastern Sindh in pre-independence Pakistan. Today, the Lambani are spread across the Indian subcontinent.

Lambani women adorn their attire with vibrant colours, intricate embroidery, and bold embellishments such as coins, shells, and tiny mirrors, believed to ward off evil. Their passion for adornment is deeply intertwined with their cultural heritage and self-expression. Historically, Lambani attire also served to ward off animals during hunting. The artisans exclusively use the indigenous stitches unique to their community, adhering strictly to their traditional techniques, while using vibrant colours. The colours blue and red hold significant spiritual meaning to the Goddess Maremma Devi in their tradition.

"Every order we receive is cherished, as we hope someone will wear and appreciate our craft. The unique aspect of our work is its durability; while cloth may wear out, our embroidery lasts forever."

"By teaching indigenous stitches to new generations, we ensure the preservation of our traditional craft, passed down through time. For craft to remain relevant, artisans must maintain an economic relationship with it; without this, any craft will fade as people turn to modern technology. Our goal is to keep craft relevant, recognising that these stitches have withstood the test of time."

Picture of Lambani woman by Sudeep Gurtu.