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

In 2017, she travelled to Birmingham, United Kingdom. This was under a Government of India-supported initiative. She showcased Kantha embroidery there. People from different countries saw the beauty of this Indian art.

In 2025, she participated in the 14th India Trend Fair in Tokyo. This fair was organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles. She displayed her work to Japanese audiences. These international appearances helped bring Indian textile craftsmanship to global attention. They also opened new markets for the women she trained.

Previous Awards and Recognition

The Padma Shri is not her first honour. Tripti Mukherjee has already received several major awards:

• National Award Certificate (2010)  – For excellence in handicrafts

• Shilp Guru Award (2016)  – Given by the Ministry of Textiles, this is a very high honour for master craftspeople

• Bangashree Award (2017)  – Given by the West Bengal government for outstanding contribution to art and culture

These awards show that her work has been recognised at both national and state levels for many years. The Padma Shri is the crowning achievement.

A Human Touch: Why This Matters

Behind every stitch is a story. Tripti Mukherjee started with a mother’s inspiration. She turned that into a mission that helped thousands of women. Many of these women had never held a needle before. They had never earned their own money. Today, they sit in their homes in Suri and other villages. They stitch beautiful Kantha designs. They sell their products. They pay for their children’s school fees. They feel proud of what they make. That is the real impact of Tripti Mukherjee’s work. The Padma Shri is not just for her. It is for every woman she lifted up.

Exam-Focused Points

• Award:  Padma Shri (one of India’s highest civilian awards)

• Recipient:  Tripti Mukherjee (Kantha embroidery artist)

• Date of ceremony:  May 25, 2026

• Presented by:  President Droupadi Murmu

• State:  West Bengal

• Art form:  Kantha stitch (traditional embroidery)

• Kantha also popular in:  Bangladesh

• Kantha history:  Began as reuse of old fabric; uses simple running stitches

• Tripti’s experience:  37 years; born 28 April 1966

• Inspiration:  Her mother

• Training centre location:  Suri, West Bengal

• International appearances:  Birmingham, UK (2017); Tokyo, Japan (2025 – 14th India Trend Fair)