Khemraj Sundariyal, the quiet force behind Panipat’s handloom renaissance, receives the Padma Shri after decades of devoted artistry. His 60-year saga has crafted a unique identity for Indian textiles on the global stage.
A trailblazer, he adapted Jamdani weaving to wool shawls, a move that reshaped the industry and invited prestigious awards.
Sundariyal’s replicas of M.F. Husain’s works as tapestries are marvels of precision, their realism challenging perceptions of medium.
From Varanasi in 1966, aligned with government duties, he arrived in Panipat to innovate Khes into practical home goods, boosting sales. Mastering wall hangings, he brought painterly excellence to weaving.
His push for durable coloring, backed by training programs, transformed skeptics and set new quality benchmarks for Panipat.
Uttarakhand’s Sumari born to tillers, sans weaving lineage, he braved 6-km school walks and societal jibes to claim his passion.
Welcoming the shift to talent-driven honors, Sundariyal sees inspiration for the young in traditional crafts. The family’s elation peaked with the award call, daughter-in-law noting, ‘A dream realized as his art conquers the world.’
Sundariyal’s story inspires a revival of handloom heritage amid contemporary challenges.