Leather form Kutch @ Winter Weaves, Dastkar

Leather in Kutch is a traditional practice, 
owing to the large number of cattle & live stock in the area. 

The Meghwal community living in the Banni area, Northern Kutch, are skilled leather workers. 
Originally they would cure & tan the leather too.

Horse Saddlery used to be in great demand & continues to be practised
all the decorative value additions in the collection below arrive from here. 
Punch work, Tassles, Foil work, etc. 

The Kutchi horse is said to be a pure bred & hardy animal for the region, probably a descendant of the Wild ass 


LEATHER FEATURE : 

Shankar Bhai,
though he always wears an informal turban/gamcha,
for the shot he preferred this styling

Shankar Bhai Raychand Bijlani 

Specialist of Leather work
Sumarasar Sheikh Bhuj Kutch 370 001 Gujarat 



PRODUCT RANGE : 

Jewelry Box / cut work leather

Shoulder Bags, Totes, etc. 

Footwear 

Jhalani Jutti, the authentic women's wear of Kutch 

Contemporary versions of "Champal" with tassle detail

Shankar Bhai's style has emerged as clean forms of intricate cut work patterns 
clear forms, stitching details & use of color 



a Dastkar regular, it interesting to see his interactions with the customers
explaining patiently the skills, culture, etc.