Ila Sachani's story

This is the true story of Ila Sachani from your book, Poorvi (Unit 5, pages 152 to 154). Its title says she embroiders dreams with her feet. Here it is, told in short.

In a tiny room in Moti Vavdi village, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, you would see bright colours everywhere: cushions, bedcovers and pillows with beautiful designs. They are made by Ila Sachani, a woman with a big smile, with a shiny needle, in Kathiawar embroidery, a style that needs great skill.

Embroidery is a design sewn onto cloth with needle and thread. Think of the steps: draw the design on the cloth, thread the needle, stitch the pattern, perhaps add small mirrors or beads, and trim the loose threads. Now imagine doing every one of those steps holding the needle between your toes.

Ila was born into a farmer's family in Amreli, Gujarat. From the start, life was hard for her: her hands hung loose by her sides, and she could not use them the way other children did. She watched other children draw in the sand and pick wild flowers, and she wished she could hold a piece of chalk and draw on a slate too.

Her mother and grandmother were skilled in Kathiawar embroidery, and they were determined to help her. They taught Ila to make beautiful patterns with her feet. It was not easy, but Ila took up the challenge. Her parents also helped her learn to eat and comb her hair using her legs. Threading a needle was very hard, but she never gave up, and she became an expert while still young. Her younger brother and sister helped her too. She learnt other styles as well, even ones from outside Gujarat: Kachhi, Kashmiri, Lucknawi and more.

Embroidery became Ila's way of expressing herself. At first she made designs only for family and friends, who were amazed. Soon the whole village knew of her skill. Then the government office in Surat heard her story and showed her work at a state exhibition. People bought her creations, and she became famous.

She went on to national exhibitions, won many awards and received the President's Medal. Best of all, her skill gave her independence: a regular income and the joy of doing what she loved. Her story shows that art can rise above the limits of the body, with practice, patience and people who believe in you.