Khemraj Sundriyal: From Poverty to Padma Shri for Revolutionizing Handloom

• Khemraj Sundriyal, 84, a renowned weaver from Panipat, Haryana, received the Padma Shri for his 60-year contribution to the handloom industry.
• He innovated by applying traditional Jamdani art, typically on muslin, to wool shawls, a revolutionary step for the industry.
• Sundriyal recreated M.F. Husain's paintings as woven tapestries, making them indistinguishable from original artworks on canvas.
• He transformed Panipat's 'khes' weaving into diverse products like bedsheets and developed tapestry art, significantly boosting the local industry.
• Sundriyal promoted permanent dyeing in Panipat, trained reluctant artisans, and joined the Weavers' Service Centre, impacting thousands of lives.

Why It Matters: Khemraj Sundriyal's Padma Shri honors his lifelong dedication to innovating and elevating India's handloom industry.