The traditional dress, and jewelry, worn by Lambani women has attracted all from young to old. There might be only a few who wouldn’t fall in love with Lambani’s embroidery, jewelry and clothes.
Known by some names like Banjara, Lambani, etc., they are spread in various parts of the country including Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. There are differences in the clothing and ornaments worn by this group depending on the region.
Banjara women hold fast to their ancient style of dress, which is perhaps the most colourful and elaborate for any tribal group in India. Lambani women practice the unique art of kannadi and embroidery, they make their traditional dresses and give them for their daughters’ weddings.
Lambani embroidery is a mixture of overlaid and quilting stitches with pattern darning, mirror work, cross stitch and “Kangura” patchwork appliqué edges, done on loosely woven dark blue or red handloom base cloth.
The traditional dress of Lambani women is called Fethia Kanchali. It is a loose skirt worn with a blouse embellished with various ornaments. Women wear fetiya (lehenga), kanchili (bodice), chandia (veil) and muttaideru on arm, hand bhalya (plastic or bangle made of antlers of deer, stag and other animals), ghugri (silver braid) basket on head. , and Haslo Bhuria. It is customary to wear pavalarahara (a silver necklace of four beads), kos around the neck, angutta, chataki (brass rings), various ornaments on the fingers and toes from foot to foot.
Lambani women living in Sandur Ballari do embroidery on the dress called “Sandur” kasuti. Scattered over the years, this art today includes traditional cloth and embroidery, lambani embroidery and various types of embroidery and mirror beads, buttons, shells, coins, small bells, cotton or woolen tassels and metal trinkets under the name of Sandur’s famous embroidery centre.
