Unsung handloom pioneer Khem Raj Sundriyal gets Padma Shri

Panipat-based master weaver Khem Raj Sundriyal, a leading proponent of the fast-vanishing Jamdani art of weaving, has been named for the Padma Shri Award by the Central Government, a day ahead of Republic Day.

With over 50 years of experience, Sundriyal is regarded as one of India’s finest tapestry and handloom artisans. Calling the honour “a pleasant surprise”, he thanked the government for recognising his contribution to traditional weaving.

Born in 1943 in Sumari village of Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, Sundriyal grew up in a farmer’s family and completed a diploma in Handloom Technology from the Government ITI, Srinagar. He joined the Weavers Service Centre under the Ministry of Textiles in 1967 and later worked in Varanasi, where he trained local saree weavers and popularised macrame knotted lampshades, which became a major livelihood source for artisans.

“I have no money as I was just a Class IV employee in the department. My mother was elderly and my brother was specially abled… Survival of all was very tough that time,” he recalled, adding, “I used to work in the night time on the loom after my mother and brother got sleep.”

Sundriyal played a key role in reviving Panipat Khes, introducing new designs and techniques that helped Panipat emerge as an export hub. He also assisted the Ministry in introducing polyester yarn in handloom weaving and improved loom efficiency through innovative techniques.

In 2012, he received the Sant Kabir Award, the highest national honour in handloom, announced in 2009. Now living in Panipat with his family, Sundriyal said they were overwhelmed by congratulatory calls from across the country.