By Asha becomes the first woman from Kerala to achieve this distinction in the category
Artists from Kerala Arts and Crafts Village have brought pride to the state by winning prestigious national awards announced for 2025, recognising excellence and creativity in the traditional handicrafts sector. The awards are presented by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Union Ministry of Textiles. A. Prathap, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, has won the Shilp Guru Award for coconut husk carving, while Asha G. Krishna, also from Thiruvananthapuram, has received the National Award in the paper quilling category. The Shilp Guru Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh and 20 grams of gold, while the National Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh and a citation. These achievements bring national recognition to Kerala’s rich traditional handicraft heritage.
Asha G. Krishna, who won the National Award in the paper quilling category, has also become the first woman from Kerala to receive this recognition in the category. The award was conferred for her Kathakali artwork created using the paper quilling technique. Measuring approximately eight and a half feet in height and six feet in width, the artwork took two and a half years to complete, Asha said. The creation reflects her artistic dedication and expertise, with delicate strips of paper meticulously rolled and arranged to depict Kathakali, Kerala’s iconic traditional art form. Her achievement also demonstrates how paper quilling and other creative techniques can be used to present Kerala’s cultural heritage through innovative artistic expressions.
A. Prathap received the Shilp Guru Award for his dragon sculpture, crafted from coconut husk and measuring five feet in length and three feet in height. The intricate sculpture, which transforms natural coconut husk into an artistic creation through exceptional craftsmanship, took two and a half months to complete. His work showcases the potential of natural materials and the ability of traditional handicraft techniques to achieve remarkable artistic excellence. Having previously received National Awards in 1994 and 2012, this recognition marks a continuation of Prathap’s distinguished achievements in the field. Prathap said that receiving the award from the President of India is a moment he eagerly awaits with great pride.
These achievements will further strengthen the efforts of Kerala Arts and Crafts Village to preserve the state’s distinctive handicraft traditions and carry them forward by integrating them with contemporary artistic ideas. Recognising the skills of artisans at the national level also serves as an inspiration to introduce the possibilities and value of traditional handicrafts to younger generations, said T. U. Sriprasad, Chief Operating Officer of Kerala Arts and Crafts Village.
