Kala Raksha

Brief History

Based at Sumrasar Sheikh village, 25 km north of Bhuj, Kala Raksha is a non-profit trust working to preserve and promote Kutch arts. It works with about 1000 embroiderers and patchwork and appliqué artisans from six communities in some 26 villages. The trust has a small museum and shop and can help arrange visits to villages to meet artisans. Up to 80% of the sale price goes to the artisans, who also help design and price the goods.

Kala Raksha was founded in 1993, keeping in mind participation and interest of artisans, community members, and experts in the fields of art, design and museums. In 2005, the education initiative of the Trust turned into Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya, the first institution of design for traditional artisans.