Gajam Govardhana | |
---|---|
Born | (1949-09-01) 1 September 1949 (age 74) Putapakka,
Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
Occupation | Weaver |
Awards |
Padma Shri UNESCO Award National Master Weaver Award Cheongju International Craft Biennale Award Shilpa Guru Award |
Website | Official web site |
Gajam Govardhana is an Indian master weaver, known for his work in Ikkat dyeing in the Telia Rumal tradition, and for his handloom creations. [1] [2] In 2011 the government of India honoured him with the fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri. [3]
Govardhana was born 1 September 1949 [4] in the small village of Putapakka in the Nalgonda district of the south Indian state of Telangana, part of the former Andhra Pradesh. [5] [1] He heads the Padmashali family, which keeps the Telia Rumal tradition alive, and employs 500 weavers in the state. [3] He runs Murali Sari Emporium, a favoured shopping place for celebrities such as Sonia Gandhi, Shabana Azmi and Sheila Dikshit. [1] [3]
Govardhana has written several articles and publications [1] and received many awards, [3] including a UNESCO Award of Excellence (2002), [4] [1] National Master Weaver Award (2006), [4] [1] Cheongju International Craft Biennale award, [4] and the Shilpa Guru Award (2007). [4] [1] The Government of India recognised his services to the art of weaving when he was included in the 2011 Republic Day honours. [3]