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.
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.
Recognition
Sandur Lambani embroidery was granted a geographical indication in India in 2010.
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
- ''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
- ^ 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.
- Community, Direct Create (28 January 2020). "Banjara Embroidery from Bellary". Medium. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- Dhamija, Jasleen (2004). Asian Embroidery. Abhinav Publications. p. 160. ISBN 978-81-7017-450-9.
- Cultures, Institute of Traditional (1957). Bulletin.
- Staff Reporter (30 September 2010). "Sandur Lambani embroidery gets GI tag". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2021.(subscription required)