Though the people of two Lambadi Thandas (settlements) and one street in Sittilingi in Dharmapuri have long ago taken to wearing outfits common in Tamil Nadu, the elderly women of this tribal community continue to wear the Petia, their traditional five-piece dress, to remind the younger generations of their past.
Neela and Gammi, who are now in their 70s, two members of the community, along with gynaecologist Lalitha Regi have been working to keep alive the art of traditional Tamil Lambadi embroidery that was revived 15 years ago. Their organisation, Porgai Artisan Association Society, with 60 plus women, has been making and selling embroidered clothes to ensure that there is awareness about the art form and that it is passed onto the next generation.
