In July this year India swore in its first President from the tribal community today. The achievement of Madam President to break age-old barriers and to rise to the country’s top constitutional position is commendable, especially during the country’s 75th Independence celebrations. We take this opportunity to talk about some of the many women who have shaped the cultural trajectory of India in the last 75 years.
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (1903 -1988)
Kamaladevi was a social reformer, freedom activist and most importantly the driving force behind the renaissance of Indian handicrafts. She is especially respected in the Handloom sector for the revival of India’s age-old textile practices and adapting these for more modern usage. Kamaladevi was also the first lady in India to stand for elections from the Madras Presidency.
Her multi-faceted capabilities also saw her founding the National School of Drama, Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Crafts Council of India and the Central Cottage Industries and Emporium.
She was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 1955 and Padma Vibhushan in 1987.
Pupul Jayakar (1915-1997)
Pupul Jayakar was known as the India's Czarina of culture! She is known for her revival of traditional arts and crafts; she played a crucial role in bringing Madhubani paintings from the walls of local / village homes to its mobile format on paper.
She founded the Crafts Museum in Delhi in 1956 and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in 1984 to restore and manage monuments and heritage structures.
She also founded Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts in 1985, as well as the National Institute of Fashion Technology in 1990, India’s premier education institute for fashion.
Jayakar also wrote several books on art and was instrumental in conceptualising and curating the Festival of India in France, UK and USA.
She was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 1967.
Jaya Appasamy 1918-1989
Jaya Appasamy was an artist and critic. She studied art in Santiniketan, and wrote about art in India extensively, including contemporary, classical or folk practices. Her book on Tanjore painting was the first on the subject.
She was the founding member of Delhi Silpi Chakra and served as the secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi till 1976. Appasamy was also an avid collector, and went on to found Rasaja Art Foundation, which houses her collection, and is now managed by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.
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