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Sabala

Mallamma Yalawar, founding member and director of the Sabala Craft Development Center, shares her dream. "Sabala was established in 1986 with the sole aim of improving the living standard of artisans and women. It was initially set up in the arid district of Bijapur in South India.

"Sabala has been working towards reviving traditional Lambani (a tribal community) and Kasuthi crafts, seen in most of our products. This art depicts the lifestyle and culture of the Banjara tribes who migrated from Gujarat (north of India) centuries ago. Vibrant colors like red, blue and white depict the three major gods of Hindu mythology – Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Black is rarely used, since it is considered inauspicious. Mirrors and bells embellish the pieces, as villagers believe they help ward off evil spirits. These works are usually quite simple to reflect a simple lifestyle.

"Originally merely a hobby, this craft has become a source of income through which women are more confident and independent to face the challenging world!

"Sabala promotes the artisans' work by participating in exhibitions. Our designs include cushion covers, bolsters, bed covers, bags, scarves, purses and other items, most made of 100% cotton. Silk is used only on request.

"Our designs and techniques are all traditional, however we do have a professional designer who assists us. The color combinations are designed to match international trends and standards. We also follow strict quality control, and nothing leaves our workshop before it is thoroughly checked.

"Today, we have some 500 artisans affiliated with our organization. It is always overwhelming to see the changes in people's lives. Today the artisans are more confident, strong and forthright.

"I remember the first time we did a solo exhibition in the capital. Two artisans participated along with other staff. They were a bit intimidated by the fashionable customers of Delhi, since they come from remote villages. But by the end of our exhibition, we were surprised to see them explaining the painstaking work required to a customer who was bargaining for a cheaper price. He was very much satisfied and paid the price they requested. Today, they are confident individuals who can speak for themselves.

"Besides working with the artisans, we are also involved in activities to generate income for the villages. We help organize small exhibitions and sales, set up shops, merchandise agricultural produce and assist in rearing livestock. We also provide supplementary education for children who do not attend school regularly and set up camps for children. We are active in community health education, AIDS education and rural dais training, teaching birth control and infant health care. Community irrigation, kitchen gardening, tree plantations, watershed development programs, low cost housing projects and entrepreneur development programs are also areas where we are involved.

"Our hard work has been honored with several awards, which include the Kittur Rani Chennamma Award, the Man of Achievement Award, the Dalapda Ratna Award and the Vocational Service Excellence Award. As time goes by, I visualize each artisan becoming an owner."

Lalibai of Sabala tells her story.

"Hello, my name is Lalibai and I was born and brought up in the southern part of India. My childhood was spent helping my mother in farm and household work. Though I have done initial studies, I could not pursue them further due to financial problems.

"My life changed when Sabala visited our village and explained the benefits I could receive by simply doing the work I was doing anyway, but without any income. In our village, everyone knows how to do embroidery – it is a kind of tradition which is handed down from generation to generation. Though we knew the technique, we could not market our embroidery since we did not know anything about quality.

"Sabala designers guide us to use the right color combination and teach us how to maintain the quality. I have been with Sabala for more than ten years and today I am capable of training other artisans. I have 20 artisans working with me. I have also taught the art of embroidery to my children and friends."