The Tribe I worked and interacted with were the Lambani Community of Sandur, Karnataka. The main objective of this project was to immerse traditional culture and craft forms to experience context and artisanal practice.
We stayed with the Lambani community for a span of 4 days.
Urban Indians, on average, engage with handcrafted products on a daily basis, and they mostly don’t even realise they are doing so. Ever-buzzing online marketplaces have opened doors to craft-makers, designers and organisations working in the craft sector, conscious consumers and patrons of craft to directly interact with each other. This has, however, also allowed the trickling in of sub-standard, mass-produced, machine-made but trendy ‘faux-crafts’ to unaware consumers.
Many sensitive and socially-responsible craft organisations are working to bridge the gap between urban India, which is increasingly influenced by international trends, and the rural artisan, who is strongly holding on to the rich traditions and techniques of crafting handmade goods. This project aims to bring the craft and stories of some of these artisans to urban audiences, through the medium of their exquisitely crafted products that are reinterpreted for the urban market while preserving their essence.
Many sensitive and socially-responsible craft organisations are working to bridge the gap between urban India, which is increasingly influenced by international trends, and the rural artisan, who is strongly holding on to the rich traditions and techniques of crafting handmade goods. This project aims to bring the craft and stories of some of these artisans to urban audiences, through the medium of their exquisitely crafted products that are reinterpreted for the urban market while preserving their essence.
Lambani Women
In the View Magazine forecast for Autumn/Winter 2018-19, Designers have stated that, “Their major interest lies in immersing in personal stories and a connection to all things elemental, creating product with emotion running through it. Focus is on tradition, ritual and craft where things made by hand and unique products are treasured.”
In one of their collections called Kinship, Designers have focused on bringing a sense of place, absorbing the atmosphere of the natural landscape and the personal stories written within them, there’s a respect for old methods and attention settles on anything nostalgic.
In one of their collections called Kinship, Designers have focused on bringing a sense of place, absorbing the atmosphere of the natural landscape and the personal stories written within them, there’s a respect for old methods and attention settles on anything nostalgic.
Reading these lines gave me a connection and relevance after visiting the Lambani’s, I engaged with the community which gave me a sense of the place, the people and its surroundings.
Lambani’s originally known as wanderers resided in the forests. They moved together from place to place in groups, setting an example of Kinship within their community. Also, when one observes their clothing, we can see multiple coloured fabric stitched together, which are embroidered and the usage of mirrors and shells marks their unique identity and differentiates the tribe from other tribal groups.
When it comes to their craft, around ten artisans have put their hands into making a clothing starting from spinning to dyeing to weaving to embroidering and then
stitching, hence through Kinship is how their structure works.
Lambani’s originally known as wanderers resided in the forests. They moved together from place to place in groups, setting an example of Kinship within their community. Also, when one observes their clothing, we can see multiple coloured fabric stitched together, which are embroidered and the usage of mirrors and shells marks their unique identity and differentiates the tribe from other tribal groups.
When it comes to their craft, around ten artisans have put their hands into making a clothing starting from spinning to dyeing to weaving to embroidering and then
stitching, hence through Kinship is how their structure works.
Therefore keeping the main aspects of the Lambani’s and combining everything together, depicting kinship, I have created a range of home furnishing products. My inspiration is towards floor seating’s, a very Indian concept but blending it in today’s market and hence having a very contemporary look. I have fabricated a set of floor cushions combining it with throw pillows as per the users
comfort and choice. It being a very versatile product to any space and any age group.
comfort and choice. It being a very versatile product to any space and any age group.
Details: 3 floor cushions- 36”x36”, 2 cushions- 18”x 18”, 2 cushions- 12”x 12” and one cushion- 12”x 18”.
Spaces and People
Zoom-in (Weave details)
