Gadwal, Telangana – The Telangana State Government is now accepting applications for the Konda Laxman Bapuji Handloom Awards. These awards celebrate talented handloom weavers and are given every year on August 7, which is observed as National Handloom Day.
Govindayya, the District Assistant Director of Handlooms and Textiles, shared the announcement in a press release. He encouraged experienced artisans to apply and showcase their traditional weaving skills.
The awards aim to honor excellence in handloom weaving styles such as Pochampally Ikat, Durries, General Varieties, Narayanpet sarees, and Gadwal sarees. Only those with strong experience and proven skill in these crafts are eligible.
To apply under the Weaving category, you must:
– Be at least 30 years old by December 31, 2024
– Have at least 10 years of weaving experience
For the Designing category, the requirements are:
– Minimum age of 25 years
– At least 5 years of experience in textile designing
Winners will receive:
– A cash prize of ₹25,000
– A certificate of appreciation
– A memento
– A shawl as part of the honor
Applicants must personally submit a sample of their work to the Assistant Director of Handlooms office at IDOC, Gadwal. This sample should not be for sale and must be accompanied by a self-declaration confirming that the work is their original creation.
Application forms are available at the Handlooms and Textiles office. The final date to submit applications is May 15, 2025. Once submitted, the applications will be reviewed, and selected entries will be recommended to the state-level award selection committee, under the leadership of the District Collector.
Govindayya also mentioned that all submitted samples will be safely returned to the applicants by post after the awards are announced.
This is a valuable opportunity for seasoned artisans to gain recognition for preserving and promoting Telangana’s rich handloom traditions.
