Lambada embroidery



Lambada embroidery (lambadi embroidery, Lambani, Sandur Lambani embroidery, Banjara embroidery, lepo) is the art of embellishing clothes, practiced by the Banjara, a tribe in Sanduru, Bellary, and Bijapur in Karnataka, and Hyderabad in Telengana. Lambada embroidery consists of a combination of patchwork, appliqué, beadwork, and embroidery.

Technique
Lambada embroidery uses a combination of stitches and appliqué, along with other embellishments. Tribal women use coins, shells, buttons, cowries, and small pieces of mirrors to decorate their colorful costumes, which include a phetiya (skirt) and kanchali (blouse). The motifs are mainly geometrical, with gridlike patterns.

Recognition


Sandur Lambani embroidery was granted a geographical indication in India in 2010.

Use
Other than costumes, the artform is used on a variety of products like cushion covers, bedcovers, wall hangings, and other garments, and accessories like bags, headbands, belts, etc.