Celebrating a beacon of cultural preservation, Tripti Mukherjee from Suri, Birbhum, receives the Padma Shri for her extraordinary contributions to Kantha embroidery and women’s empowerment. What started as lessons from her mother has blossomed into a movement uplifting thousands.
‘I owe this to my mother who introduced me to Kantha,’ Tripti beamed, dedicating the honor to her first guru.
Her mission involved visiting countless Birbhum villages, imparting Nakshi Kantha training to over 20,000 women. Today, these women thrive economically, their stitches weaving stories of perseverance and aspiration.
Tripti’s pieces masterfully depict village women’s lives, blending folklore with fine artistry—a feat recognized nationally. Previous awards include the 2012 National Handicrafts Award, 2017 Bangshree, and 2018 Shilp Guru.
This Padma Shri victory marks the pinnacle of a career born from hobby to heritage revival. Tripti’s legacy inspires, proving traditional crafts can drive modern empowerment and earn the nation’s highest regards.