Lambada embroidery

Lambada embroidery (lambadi embroidery, Lambani, Sandur Lambani embroidery, Banjara embroidery, lepo) is the art of embellishing clothes, practiced by the Banjara, a tribe in Sanduru, Bellary, and Bijapur in Karnataka, and Hyderabad in Telangana. Lambada embroidery consists of a combination of patchwork, appliqué, beadwork, and embroidery.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Traditional Banjara dress consisting of kanchali (blouse) and phetiya (skirt)

Technique

Lambada embroidery uses a combination of stitches and appliqué, along with other embellishments. Tribal women use coins, shells, buttons, cowries, and small pieces of mirrors to decorate their colorful costumes, which include a phetiya (skirt) and kanchali (blouse). The motifs are mainly geometrical, with gridlike patterns.^[2]

Recognition

Banjara women in traditional dress

Sandur Lambani embroidery was granted a geographical indication in India in 2010.^[6]

Use

Other than costumes, the artform is used on a variety of products like cushion covers, bedcovers, wall hangings, and other garments, and accessories like bags, headbands, belts, etc.

References

1. ''Lambada women, whose colourful dresses are embroidered with small mirrors, dance ceremonial dances.'' The Language Loss of the Indigenousbooks.google.co.in › books G. N. Devy, Geoffrey V. Davis, K. K. Chakravarty · 201
2. Naik, Dhanasing B. (2000). The Art and Literature of Banjara Lambanis: A Socio-cultural Study. Abhinav Publications. p. 9. ISBN 978-81-7017-364-9.
3. Community, Direct Create (28 January 2020). "Banjara Embroidery from Bellary". Medium. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
4. Dhamija, Jasleen (2004). Asian Embroidery. Abhinav Publications. p. 160. ISBN 978-81-7017-450-9.
5. Cultures, Institute of Traditional (1957). Bulletin.
6. Staff Reporter (30 September 2010). "Sandur Lambani embroidery gets GI tag". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2021.(subscription required)