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Kala Raksha

"Kala Raksha" literally means, "Safeguarding the Art" and functions as a non-profit Society and Trust since 1993. Registered, in Gujurat, Kala Raksha's mission is the preservation and protection of traditional Indian art, primarily by assisting artisan cooperatives throughout the region. Kala Raksha began sponsoring three communities in the desert district of Kutch: Suf embroiders who migrated from Thar Parker, Sindh (Pakistan) in 1972; Rabaris, who are nomadic camel herders; and Garasia Jatts Muslim shepherds. All these populations are relatively isolated and marginalized, and the women are traditionally the artisans.

Kala Raksha is a grass roots organization with very close ties to the community. The center has a museum, a workshop, an office, a shop, and a guesthouse. All buildings have been designed to blend traditional architecture with contemporary function. It is fully computerized, and organizers are planning to operate with solar-powered electricity.

Kala Raksha's products highlight the detailed embroidery that distinguishes the Kutchi region, which includes three main styles: The embroidery by the Suf women, which requires working from the reverse of the cloth, counting warp and weft threads. The second style is the ever-evolving Rabari, unique to the nomadic Rabaris; their contemporary mirror chain-stitching nearly replaced a repertoire of delicate stitches, which Kala Raksha has struggled to revive. The third style is that of the Garsia Jatt women, who stitch an array of geometric patterns based on cross-stitching to completely fill the yokes of their churi, which is a long gown. The names for some patterns, such as Umarkot, trace the migration of Jatts from Sindh. Recently they included three more styles, khaarek, paako, and the ethnic artistry of the Mutava people.

Kala Raksha is committed to excellent quality and eco-friendly natural materials. Most of their textile products are made from 100% cotton and/or wool, which is woven locally. The threads, loomed by hand, are dyed with vegetable pigments brewed from roots, flowers, leaves and fruits. Labor intensive, these dyes are beautiful and innocuous to both dyers and users.

Kala Raksha's commitment to the community has seen it grow in different areas that ensure continuous benefits. For example, in 1997 they established the Preventive Health Care Program with a primary focus on nutrition and hygiene. After the devastating earthquake that affected the Kutch region in 2001, Kala Raksha independently raised funds and coordinated the reconstruction of an entire village (124 homes), plus the establishment of three sub-centers.

Kala Raksha's endless efforts in creating unique and traditional products has been appreciated worldwide. Their broad range of products includes hand-embroidered, patchwork and appliqué garments; home furnishings; salwar-kameeze (tunic and pants suits); jackets, shawls, and dupattas (scarves). They also make cozy patchwork quilts, toys, purses, gifts and leather tabletops.