The Padma Shri honor for Khemraj Sundariyal marks a milestone for Panipat’s handloom sector, celebrating 60 years of groundbreaking work by this Uttarakhand-born maestro. His innovations have propelled local weaves to worldwide acclaim.
Sundariyal’s bold experiment with Jamdani on woolen shawls, departing from muslin norms, proved transformative, garnering national honors and industry-wide admiration.
His tapestries of M.F. Husain paintings stand as testaments to his virtuosity—intricate, vivid recreations that fool the eye into seeing canvas rather than fabric.
Joining Panipat in 1966 from Varanasi via government posting, he reimagined Khes weaving for bedsheets and decor, expanding commercial horizons. Tapestries became his signature, faithfully mirroring artistic legacies on looms.
Advocating permanent dyes, he overcame resistance through hands-on training, now a standard that defines Panipat’s superior quality.
Raised in Sumari village by farmers, unfamiliar with looms, Sundariyal’s resolve shone through daily 6-km treks to school and defiance of detractors.
He applauds merit-based awards under Modi governance, urging youth to pursue handloom with integrity. The surprise phone announcement last year thrilled his family, with his daughter-in-law beaming, ‘The world now sees Dad’s timeless art.’
This accolade underscores the value of persistent craftsmanship in modern India.