The Padma Shri award to Tripti Mukherjee highlights a remarkable fusion of artistic heritage and social impact. This Birbhum-based Kantha expert, whose skills were honed under her mother’s guidance, has dedicated her life to teaching the craft to thousands, fostering economic self-sufficiency among rural women.
Upon learning of her selection, Tripti shared her gratitude, saying the award is a tribute to her mother’s foundational lessons in Kantha embroidery.
Through tireless village outreach in Birbhum, she has trained over 20,000 women, enabling them to monetize their talents in Nakshi Kantha—a running stitch embroidery that narrates rural tales. The women’s dedication fuels her drive, Tripti noted.
Her artworks poignantly portray everyday rural narratives, earning her prior honors like the National Award in 2012, Bangshree in 2017, and Shilp Guru in 2018. This latest accolade underscores her role in bridging tradition with contemporary relevance.
Tripti’s story is one of evolution: from a personal passion to a professional pursuit that now adorns her with national prestige. It serves as powerful motivation for artisans everywhere, demonstrating the profound change one skilled hand can ignite in society.