A talk with Salim Wazir !

I had the opportunity to talk to Salim Wasim, on facebook, who has a collection of old and antique textiles and embroideries. He has even traveled along with Griff to show the embroidery of their Rabari community in kutch, that we have seen in the documentary of 'hidden treasure of indian art'. 

His Biography :-

Salim and his brother take up their father's business, in which they have collected more than 3 thousand pieces of old and antique embroideries (not for sale) from kutch as well as all over india. Collection includes garments of all the communities of kutch, their home decor embroidery pieces and also a collection of woven pieces.

some collection from his museum.

                            

finished work, "Gaj" on the dress, from north east of kutch 

Mochi (cobblers stitch ) embroidery skirt. Need magnifying glass to see stitches. Made in bhuj by cobblers around 100 years ago

detailing of the skirt

Dhebaria Rabari Quilt, Approximately 50 years old, made in eastside of kutch , size 51" x 91"

 Apart from his work in tourism department being a senior guide, he is also interested in photography.

About their community:-

Rabari community does embroidery which is known as Rabari embroidery . There are 3 groups in Rabari community,

Dhebaria Rabari.

Wagadia Rabari and 

Kutchi Rabari

Dhebaria have totally stopped doing embroidery, while the other two groups are still doing it.

Embroidery was never made for commercial purposes, it already existed in their culture and was made for their own use.  The NGOs' introduced trade to this community some 16 or 17 years ago. Once the trading started the quality of embroidery deteriorated.

Their occupation :-

 Breeding of goats and sheep was their main occupation. although they have their villages in kutch, they roam in herds for half of the year in search for good grazing land. They are content with what they do. 

Besides wagadia and dhebaria rabari there's a third group which is kutchi rabari and they have entered the transportation business and farming. Recently they have even started educating their children.

He was open in sharing all the information with me

He advised me to enjoy the work I do!

And he introduced me to sources of information on the Rabari's history that were considered trustworthy according to him!