SRIKAKULAM: A 43-year-old renowned handloom weaver Murakala Nataraju from Alikam village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, has emerged as a symbol of dedication and innovation in India’s handloom sector.
Born into a handloom family, he developed a keen interest in traditional weaving during his childhood while observing his parents, Mallesh and Lakshmi, who were skilled traditional handloom weavers. Over time, this fascination grew into a lifelong commitment to preserve and modernise the centuries-old tradition.
Nataraju has mastered weaving cotton, Tussar, Half-and-Half, and Jamdani sarees. His exceptional skill earned him national recognition when he was selected as one of 22 artisans across India, and one of only two from Andhra Pradesh, to receive the prestigious National Handloom Award. On August 7, during 12th National Handloom Day celebrations in New Delhi, he was honoured by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
Speaking to TNIE, Nataraju said “My aim is to preserve the centuries-old traditional handloom weaving techniques while masterfully adapting them to meet contemporary, modern designs.”
Nataraju highlighted that, for over a decade’s, he has been providing free weaving training to women and economically weaker sections at his residence, to promote self-employment and financial independence in women.
He said that currently he runs traditional weaving practices in his native place Alikam, and provides direct and indirect employment opportunities for more than 250 handloom weavers in Srikakulam and surrounding areas.