Tripti Mukherjee to Get Padma Shri: The Woman Who Saved Kantha Embroidery

May 22, 2026

Overview

Kantha stitch artist Tripti Mukherjee will receive the Padma Shri on May 25, 2026. She is being honoured for preserving West Bengal’s traditional embroidery. She has also empowered rural women by teaching them this art. For nearly four decades, she has worked to keep Kantha alive and take it to the world. The award will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu. This is a proud moment for India’s handicraft sector.

Latest News: Padma Shri for Tripti Mukherjee

Renowned Kantha embroidery artist Tripti Mukherjee will be honoured with the Padma Shri. This is one of India’s highest civilian awards. The official ceremony will be held on May 25, 2026. President Droupadi Murmu will present the award. Tripti Mukherjee has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to traditional Indian handicrafts. She has also worked hard to support women artisans through skill development and livelihood creation.

Who Is Tripti Mukherjee?

Tripti Mukherjee is a respected artisan from West Bengal. She has 37 years of experience in Kantha embroidery. She was born on April 28, 1966. As a young girl, she developed an interest in embroidery. Her mother was her first inspiration. Watching her mother work with a needle and thread, young Tripti fell in love with the art. That early interest turned into a lifelong mission. Today, she is one of India’s most famous Kantha artists.

What Is Kantha Stitch?

Kantha is one of India’s oldest traditional embroidery forms. It is closely associated with West Bengal and Bangladesh. The art is known for its delicate hand-stitching patterns. The stitches are simple running stitches. But when put together, they create beautiful designs.

Historically, Kantha began as a way to reuse old fabrics. Women would take old cloth, layer it, and stitch decorative patterns over it. This made the cloth strong and beautiful. Nothing was wasted. Today, Kantha is widely used on many items. These include:

Sarees
Dupattas (scarves)
Stoles
Bed covers
Wall hangings
Decorative textiles

Kantha is both an art form and a symbol of sustainable craftsmanship. It shows how beauty can come from simple things.

How Tripti Mukherjee Empowered Rural Women

Tripti Mukherjee’s contribution goes far beyond making beautiful art. She has changed lives. She established a training centre in Suri, a town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. At this centre, many women are trained in Kantha embroidery. The focus is not just on preserving the craft. The focus is also on economic empowerment.

When a woman learns Kantha, she can earn her own money. She does not have to depend on anyone else. Under Tripti Mukherjee’s guidance, many women have created products. These products are then showcased and sold at exhibitions and fairs. This has helped many women generate independent income. They can now support their families and send their children to school. One woman’s art becomes her family’s lifeline.