Kantha Artist Tripti Mukherjee to Receive Padma Shri for Preserving Traditional Indian Embroidery

Kantha stitch artist Tripti Mukherjee set to receive the Padma Shri on May 25th, 2026. She is known for West Bengal’s iconic embroidery tradition and she spent nearly four decades promoting the Kantha craftsmanship while creating the livelihood opportunities for rural women.

Tripti Mukherjee to Receive Padma Shri for Kantha Stitch Contribution

Renowned Kantha embroidery artist Tripti Mukherjee will be honored with the Padma Shri, which is one of the India’s highest civilian awards.

The award will be presented by the President Droupadi Murmu at an official ceremony on May 25.

She has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to preserving the traditional Indian handicrafts and supporting women artisans through skill development.

Who Is Tripti Mukherjee?

Tripti Mukherjee is the respected artisan from the state of West Bengal  and she had the 37 years of experience in Kantha embroidery.

She was born on April 28, 1966 and she developed an interest in embroidery at an early age.

Her inspiration came from her mother, whose work introduced her to the art form.

What Is Kantha Stitch?

Kantha is India’s one of the oldest traditional embroidery forms which is closely associated with West Bengal and Bangladesh.

It is also known for its delicate hand stitching patterns created using simple running stitches.

Historically, Kantha began as the method of reusing old fabrics by layering cloth and stitching decorative designs over them.

Today, it is widely used in the,

• Sarees
• Dupattas
• Stoles
• Bed covers
• Wall hangings
• Decorative textiles

Kantha is both an art form and a symbol of the sustainable craftsmanship.

How Tripti Mukherjee Empowered Rural Women

Tripti Mukherjee’s contribution goes beyond the artistic excellence.

She established a training centre in Suri, West Bengal, where many woman are trained in Kantha embroidery.

The focus is not just only on preserving craft skills but also on economic empowerment.

Also multiple woman trained under her guidance create products that are showcased and sold at exhibitions and fairs.

This has helped the many women generate independent income.

Taking Indian Handicrafts to the Global Stage

Mukherjee has also represented the India internationally.

In the year 2017, she travelled to Birmingham, United Kingdom, under a Government of India-supported initiative to showcase the Kantha embroidery.

In 2025, she participated in the 14th India Trend Fair in Tokyo, organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles.

These appearances also helped bring Indian textile craftsmanship to international audiences.

Previous Awards and Recognition

Tripti Mukherjee has already received the several major honors.

Her recognitions includes the,

• National Award Certificate (2010)
• Shilp Guru Award (2016) from the Ministry of Textiles
• Bangashree Award (2017) from the West Bengal government

The Padma Shri now adds another major milestone in her journey.