Lambada embroidery (lambadi embroidery, Lambani, Sandur Lambani embroidery, Banjara embroidery, ''lepo'') is an art of
embellishing clothes practiced by the
Lambadas or Lambanis, the tribe in
Sanduru
Sanduru (often written Sandur) is a town in Bellary District in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative seat of Sanduru taluka.
Sandur was ruled by the Ghorpade royal family of the Marathas.The present scion of Sandur is Ajai ...
, the
Banjaras of
Bellary and
Bijapur
Bijapur, officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural ...
in
Karnataka
Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
,
Hyderabad
Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...
in
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
. Lambada embroidery consists of the
patchwork,
appliqué
Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces or patches of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern. It is commonly used as decoration, especially on garments. The technique ...
,
beadwork and
embroidery
Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. In modern days, embroidery is usually seen on c ...
together.
Technique
Lambada embroidery uses a combination of stitches and
appliqué
Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces or patches of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern. It is commonly used as decoration, especially on garments. The technique ...
, along with mirror work and other embellishments. Tribal women use coins, shells, buttons, cowries and small pieces of mirrors to decorate their colorful costumes, such as ''phetiya'' (
skirt) and ''kanchali'' or (
blouse
A blouse (blau̇s, 'blau̇z, ) is a loose-fitting upper garment that was worn by workmen, peasants, artists, women, and children.The Concise Oxford English Dictionary It is typically gathered at the waist or hips (by tight hem, pleats, parter ...
). The motifs are mainly geometrical with grid like patterns.
Recognition
The clothes decorated with Lambada embroidery work are admired in foreign.
Sandur Lambani embroidery has now found a place in the products with the
Geographical indication
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product's source, ...
(GI) tag in the country. The tribes may benefit from the recognization.
Use
Otherthan Lamabani costumes, the art is explored with a variety of products like cushion covers, bedcovers, wall hangings, garments and accessories like bags, headbands, waist belts etc.
Gallery
File:Banjara Lambani woman in traditional dress.jpg, Banjara Lambani woman in traditional dress with Lambada embroidery
File:Banjara Lamadi or Lambani women in traditional dress Andhra Pradesh DSCF6567 (2).JPG, Banjara Lamadi or Lambani women in traditional dress Andhra Pradesh
References
{{Reflist
Embroidery in India
Embroidery
Embroidery by country