The only reason the Koo wa frog does not have long or wide vision is because it has never left its world. When going forward, if the practical sense is lost, it will swell and burst. It is the same with man, if he binds his limits, he cannot break free. What use is it to think of living better than to live to die? No, not at all. If you succeed through struggle or struggle, you become an inspiration and guide to others. If the direction is fixed, then the position does not change often. 'The strength of our fingernails only came to light when we got an order to provide hand-embroidered and stitched dresses for the shooting of actors in a famous film.' These are the words of Maghiben of Ugedi village of Nakhtrana taluka. Aya Maghiben Meghjibhai Rabari, the owner of 'Rabari Maghiben' unit, who studied only seven books, but worked hard to bring 'Rabari' embroidery to the country and the world. In order to wear the traditional dress of the society on a foreign land, an illiterate father planted the seed of social revolution, which has become a banyan tree, by making his seven daughters hold a pan instead of a shepherd's stick. Arts and crafts are not owned by anyone, they belong to those who practice them. Embroidery is the quality of our blood. A sai (tailor) carpenter measures twice and cuts once. We know how to do embroidery and sewing without measurements. Our Rabari embroidery is now not only worn by us, but modified according to the market demand and has reached from home to the market. I have started this by learning by doing labor work for 200 rupees. Today I have about 15 daughters earning 6000 to 12000 rupees per month. I am proud to say that all the Rabari embroidery dresses of the famous film 'Hellaro' were designed and done by me and my husband ourselves. When this film was released, we got a special invitation and watched the film with our family for the first time in our life sitting in a theater in Bhuj. The art or skill of sewing needle, thread and sewing machine has nothing to hide! After the film, both our work and name became famous. Today there is not even an hour without work. A wealthy father, who was driven by the forest and cattle, saw the wind of change and taught his daughters in such a way that they did not have to regret their steps. His 65-year-old younger sister (Magibene) who lives with him guides and supervises as well as providing design and courage. A degree-holder rubs shoes to get a job, while Maghiben passed seven through art and skill, starting in 2018, now giving employment and self-esteem to 15 daughters. Only the daughters of the Rabari community work with them, including Magiben, Mayaben, Bhavnaben etc. So far, about 70 daughters have been taught this work by father-in-law. This is possible only because of the cooperation of family and society. I didn't even know how to ride a cycle, today I drive an Activa to my unit with the permission of the family. I make a living with the pretense of not doing anything that would tarnish the trust reposed in me by family and society. Congratulations Maghiben for your courage.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
Gramotthan: Maghiben's embroidered costumes in 'Hellaro'
