Kamala Samman 2017
Smt. Kethavath Lakshmi
The Kamala Samman Award of The Crafts Council of India is the highest among the Kamala Awards. It recognises and honours a senior person whose long and dedicated work in the field has significantly benefitted craft communities and transformed their lives.
For the year 2017, the recipient of the Kamala Samman is Smt. Kethavath Lakshmi from Andhra Pradesh.
Smt. Kethavath Lakshmi of Yellamma Thanda, Rangpur began learning Banjara embroidery from her grandmother at the age of 8. Later, she was trained by Crafts Council of Andhra Pradesh’s initial training scheme of Banjara embroidery at Yellamma Thanda. She has also received training in the Entrepreneurial Development Training Programme conducted by CCAP and FICCI. She has participated in numerous Banjara embroidery workshops and Design Development Programmes which have helped her to innovate and introduce new designs and colour palettes in her traditional embroidery craft.
Smt. Kethavath Lakshmi’s twenty seven year old experience in the intricacies of Banjara embroidery and her exceptional stitchery skills have brought in many orders. She has ensured the highest standards of quality in executing both her orders and those of other members of the Yellamma Thanda. She has trained many women’s groups in the Yellamma Thanda cluster and as well as women in many surrounding villages.
Smt. Kethavath Lakshmi’s evocative Banjara embroidery has been exhibited at the Surajkund Mela, Dilli Haat and in exhibitions in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, London and Tehran.
The Crafts Council of India has great pleasure in honouring Smt. Kethavath Lakshmi with the Kamala Samman for the year 2017.
