The untold stories of the ralli artisans

Sindhi artisans display traditional Sindhi quilts, which provide means of livelihood for many

Sewing different patches of cloth into a quilt is what makes a ralli and the making is an art in itself. It may take years or a couple of months to acquire the skill but if you have passion coupled with a need to feed your family, it becomes more of a passionate living.

The show has been organised by the Sindh culture, tourism and antiquities department and continues till Monday evening. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

A number of artisans belonging to different parts of Sindh exhibited their rallis at the First Sindhi Ralli Exhibition, which is on display at the Mohatta Palace gardens. The show has been organised by the Sindh culture, tourism and antiquities department and continues till Monday evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Rukhsana Abdul Jabbar, a middle-aged woman, said that she learnt the technique of sewing these quilts years ago when she was married to her husband 16 years ago. “When I first came to my new family, I was really unaware about this technique,” she said. “My husband’s first cousin, Ghulam Fatima, taught me this art form for over a month and thence I learned it. But it was really meant to fend for a livelihood.”



Abdul Jabbar, her husband, who is seated beside her at the exhibition, talks about her journey of acquiring the skill. “In the initial days, she found it extremely difficult to learn [how to sew a ralli],” he said. “But if you have a burning passion within, you may be able to do it.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rukhsana Abdul Jabbar, a middle-aged woman, said that she learnt the technique of sewing these quilts years ago when she was married to her husband 16 years ago. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

According to Rukhsana, another artisan, she has been raising eight children by sewing and selling these rallis from home. She explained that sometimes it takes a week at most for a single bed sheet while it may takes over a month for a double bed sheet. Rukhsana said that she has passed on her knowledge of the skill to two of her daughters.

Meanwhile, Laal Khatoon, also present at the exhibition, said that 10 artisans work under her. They prepare ralli bed sheets, cushion covers and shirts. Her artisans are based in Sanghar. From floral designs to birds such as peacocks, different symbols grace the fabric, she asserted.



Another young girl from Sanghar, Rehana Mangsi, also had her work on display. She proudly showed off her ralli, which took her almost three years to complete. A former medical student whose dream to study further was not allowed to be pursued by her family, Rehana decided to acquire the skill.

According to Rukhsana, another artisan, she has been raising eight children by sewing and selling these rallis from home. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

Another woman, Nusrat, was still stitching at the exhibition, trying to hide herself from the crowd. "I teach ralli-making to a group of girls in Khairpur Mirs at a local vocational centre called Mehran,” she said. “I teach girls who are as young as 12 years of age how to make a ralli. But this requires patience. Only those few with a burning desire can really learn it."

Two other artisans who are also brothers, Mohammad Younus and Mohammad Asif, are unemployed but have learnt this technique to make a living. Mohammad Younus said that besides him, his wife, mother, maternal aunt and two sisters are already making rallis.



It takes just three days to make a rally at our home because the entire family is involved in the patchwork, he said. It's handicraft but it is really a means for earning a living for us men from Khairpur, he said, adding that they have completed their matriculation.