Harkhuben is from Sanosara, a village near the District capital Bhuj. Having moved to Vandh after marriage, she began working with Kala Raksha over thirteen years ago. The first work she did was elaborate jackets for Ritu Kumar. A good artisan has technical mastery, Harkhuben says. She believes that the future is bright for embroidery, if artisans continue to learn new skills.

Today artisans use machine embroidery for their own work. Harkhuben feels it does not have the visual appeal and certainly not the skill of hand work. But for Rabaris it is always important to have consensus of the group, so the group will ultimately decide. “We want to go ahead together ” she says. “I liked the practical application. If a piece if finished it can be sold– just like, if we don’t wear bangles, our outfit is not complete.”