Lambani Embroidery : Weaving Heritage into Every Stitch

January 2, 2026

Lambani embroidery is a centuries-old craft practiced by the Lambani (Banjara or nomadic) women of Karnataka, India. Known for its intricate stitches, vibrant colors, and mirror work, this traditional Indian embroidery is a testament to the artistic legacy of the nomadic Lambani (sometimes also called Lambadi) community.

In recent years, Lambani embroidery has gained recognition beyond its cultural roots, making its way into contemporary fashion and home décor. With its bold patterns and handcrafted appeal, it offers a unique blend of history and craftsmanship, making each piece a work of art.

The Origins of Lambani Embroidery in Karnataka

The Lambanis, originally a nomadic tribe, developed their signature embroidery style as a form of self-expression and cultural preservation. Their garments, heavily adorned with patchwork, mirrors, cowrie shells, and hand-stitched motifs, reflected their way of life—colorful, resilient, and deeply connected to their heritage.

Traditionally, this embroidery decorated women’s attire, including ghagras, cholis, and odhnis. Today, it has expanded into accessories, home décor, and even high-fashion designs, ensuring its place in modern-day aesthetics.

The Craftsmanship Behind Lambani Embroidery

What makes Lambani embroidery unique is its complex, labor-intensive technique. Each piece is entirely hand-stitched using over 14 different embroidery techniques, including:

• Chain Stitch – For outlining bold patterns

• Herringbone Stitch – For intricate detailing

• Mirror Work (Shisha Embroidery) – To add texture and depth

• Cross Stitch & Running Stitch – For geometric and floral designs

The embroidery is known for its vibrant color palette, with each hue carrying symbolic meaning:

• Red – Passion and vitality

• Blue – Spirituality and the vast sky

• Yellow – Prosperity and warmth

• Green – Nature and renewal

Each stitch, color, and embellishment transforms the fabric into a storytelling canvas, representing the cultural ethos of the Lambani people.

Revival of Lambani Embroidery: Women-Led Artisan Movements

Despite its artistic brilliance, Lambani embroidery faced a decline due to industrialization and shifting fashion trends. However, thanks to women-led artisan organizations and non-profits, this craft is experiencing a revival.

By empowering rural Lambani women, these initiatives provide:

✅ Fair wages and sustainable livelihoods

✅ Training programs to refine traditional techniques

✅ Access to global markets, ensuring demand for handcrafted textiles

At House of Saaj, we work with a Sandur organization where the skilled Lambani artisans bring this heritage craft to contemporary audiences, ensuring its survival for generations to come.

Lambani Embroidery in Home Décor & Fashion

Lambani embroidery is no longer confined to traditional attire. It has evolved into a luxury textile art form, seamlessly blending with modern interiors and fashion.

Ways to Incorporate Lambani Embroidery into Your Lifestyle

✨ Home Décor – Cushion covers, wall hangings, table runners, and upholstered furniture

✨ Fashion Accessories – Embroidered handbags, belts, and scarves

✨ Bespoke Clothing – Jackets, blouses, and dresses infused with heritage embroidery

Adding Lambani embroidery to your space or wardrobe is not just about aesthetics—it’s about cherishing a piece of India’s artistic history and supporting the artisans who keep this tradition alive.

Preserving the Legacy of Lambani Embroidery

Handcrafted traditions like Lambani embroidery deserve to be celebrated and preserved. By choosing authentic, artisan-made products, you contribute to the survival of this exquisite art form.

Shop Authentic Lambani Embroidery at House of Saaj

At House of Saaj, we bring you handcrafted Lambani embroidery pieces, created by skilled Lambani women of Karnataka. Each piece is a tribute to centuries of artistry, culture, and storytelling.

✅ Ethically sourced, handcrafted textiles

✅ Designed for heritage lovers & modern homes

✅ Supporting artisan communities with every purchase

Bring home a piece of history—shop Lambani embroidery today!

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Beautiful Cushion Covers

I recently bought some raw silk, hand block printed cushion covers from House of Saaj at an event. They had so many options and Shilpa, the owner, helped me choose a few cushion covers for my sofa. She had an astute understanding of colors and what will go well with my sofa color. I am very happy with my purchase. I recently bought some raw silk, hand block printed cushion covers from House of Saaj at an event. They had... I recently bought some raw silk, hand block printed cushion covers from House of Saaj at an event. They had so many options and Shilpa, the owner, helped me choose a few cushion covers for my sofa. She had an astute understanding of colors and what will go well with my sofa color. I am very happy with my purchase.

Sally D

Real heritage for the couple

I saw House of Saaj at an event in August and even though I could’ve bought from them at the time, I was curious to see their studio and their other items. So I went to their studio to buy a heritage craft from them as a wedding gift for my friend’s daughter. I wanted to gift her something that can connect her to her heritage, as the family is from Bihar. She was very touched to receive the Sikki Grass art wall decor I had bought for her. Shilpa, the owner of House of Saaj, told me she wants to reach such young people of Indian heritage via her business so that they can connect to their roots. I was happy to buy such an incredible gift from their collection. I saw House of Saaj at an event in August and even though I could’ve bought from them at the... I saw House of Saaj at an event in August and even though I could’ve bought from them at the time, I was curious to see their studio and their other items. So I went to their studio to buy a heritage craft from them as a wedding gift for my friend’s daughter. I wanted to gift her something that can connect her to her heritage, as the family is from Bihar. She was very touched to receive the Sikki Grass art wall decor I had bought for her. Shilpa, the owner of House of Saaj, told me she wants to reach such young people of Indian heritage via her business so that they can connect to their roots. I was happy to buy such an incredible gift from their collection.

Sohail

Unbelievable prices!

I met Shilpa from House of Saaj at our town’s market and I couldn’t believe the prices of authentic, handcrafted pieces of every art and craft. It is an impressive collection and it was very heartwarming to see how she is trying to save the fading Heritage arts and crafts of India by promoting them via her business. Their items should be priced more competitively because they reinvest their profits completely! I hope more people can support House of Saaj in their efforts to save real heritage fading arts and crafts of India. I bought a purse for my wife on my own (which she loved), something I have never done before. I met Shilpa from House of Saaj at our town’s market and I couldn’t believe the prices of authentic, handcrafted... I met Shilpa from House of Saaj at our town’s market and I couldn’t believe the prices of authentic, handcrafted pieces of every art and craft. It is an impressive collection and it was very heartwarming to see how she is trying to save the fading Heritage arts and crafts of India by promoting them via her business. Their items should be priced more competitively because they reinvest their profits completely! I hope more people can support House of Saaj in their efforts to save real heritage fading arts and crafts of India. I bought a purse for my wife on my own (which she loved), something I have never done before.

Mark L

BeautifullyHandmade

I recently visited House of Saaj at the Concord Holiday Pop up and was veryimpressed with their collection. I bought the Jaipur Blue Pottery tea lightholders as gifts for my friends and they loved them as much as I had. Thesetealight holders have real handmade feeling to them and I look forward toenjoying mine. I would recommend visiting House of Saaj at their store inCarlisle to see their handmade artisanal items I recently visited House of Saaj at the Concord Holiday Pop up and was veryimpressed with their collection. I bought... I recently visited House of Saaj at the Concord Holiday Pop up and was veryimpressed with their collection. I bought the Jaipur Blue Pottery tea lightholders as gifts for my friends and they loved them as much as I had. Thesetealight holders have real handmade feeling to them and I look forward toenjoying mine. I would recommend visiting House of Saaj at their store inCarlisle to see their handmade artisanal items

Barbara F

Lippankaam Squares

I bought a set of three LippanKaam wall decor from House of Saaj. It is a very unique item and we had not heard of it before. I gifted it as a house warming gift and they simply loved it. I am looking forward to buying some more LippanKaam frames for my own home and getting them customized to my colors. Love working with Shilpa on any project! I bought a set of three LippanKaam wall decor from House of Saaj. It is a very unique item and... I bought a set of three LippanKaam wall decor from House of Saaj. It is a very unique item and we had not heard of it before. I gifted it as a house warming gift and they simply loved it. I am looking forward to buying some more LippanKaam frames for my own home and getting them customized to my colors. Love working with Shilpa on any project!

Anu A

Beautiful Kutchi Shawls

I bought five Kutchi embroidered shawls from House of Saaj to give as Christmas gifts and I must say I was amazed at the quality of the sheep wool. The embroidery was exquisite and I like how the owner, Shilpa was so knowledgeable about the items she has in her shop. The shipping time was great as they arrived well in time. I will definitely be buying from House of Saaj again I bought five Kutchi embroidered shawls from House of Saaj to give as Christmas gifts and I must say I... I bought five Kutchi embroidered shawls from House of Saaj to give as Christmas gifts and I must say I was amazed at the quality of the sheep wool. The embroidery was exquisite and I like how the owner, Shilpa was so knowledgeable about the items she has in her shop. The shipping time was great as they arrived well in time. I will definitely be buying from House of Saaj again

Trupti P

Lovely Brass Diyas

I bought a set of brass Diyas from House of Saaj at their event in October. I was delighted when I got so many compliments from my guests at my Diwali party. I am impressed at the etchings on brass which made the Diyas so fetching. I would recommend House of Saaj handmade items for their quality and commitment to small batch production. I bought a set of brass Diyas from House of Saaj at their event in October. I was delighted when... I bought a set of brass Diyas from House of Saaj at their event in October. I was delighted when I got so many compliments from my guests at my Diwali party. I am impressed at the etchings on brass which made the Diyas so fetching. I would recommend House of Saaj handmade items for their quality and commitment to small batch production.

Sushila S

Tanjore Trays

I bought two Tanjore trays from House of Saaj for gifting during Diwali. I loved that I didn’t have to wait to go to India to get such beautiful gifts any more. Their shop in Carlisle, MA has such interesting handcrafted products! Having such a boutique shop so close to Boston makes it easier to travel too. I bought two Tanjore trays from House of Saaj for gifting during Diwali. I loved that I didn’t have to... I bought two Tanjore trays from House of Saaj for gifting during Diwali. I loved that I didn’t have to wait to go to India to get such beautiful gifts any more. Their shop in Carlisle, MA has such interesting handcrafted products! Having such a boutique shop so close to Boston makes it easier to travel too.

Swati R

Lovely Upcycled Jewelry

I have bought a small batch(50) of beautiful upcycled earrings from Houses of Saaj for my Golu during Navrathri. Shilpa was so helpful and patient with my choices and delivered my order in time. I really liked their products which have many Heritage arts and crafts from India. I have bought a small batch(50) of beautiful upcycled earrings from Houses of Saaj for my Golu during Navrathri. Shilpa... I have bought a small batch(50) of beautiful upcycled earrings from Houses of Saaj for my Golu during Navrathri. Shilpa was so helpful and patient with my choices and delivered my order in time. I really liked their products which have many Heritage arts and crafts from India.

Harini H

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Lambani Embroidery : Weaving Heritage into Every Stitch

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