Leather Mask – Goddess Durga (Yellow Face, Ornate Crown)

Velayudham Srinivasulu Reddy

Velayudham Srinivasulu Reddy, hailing from Srikalahasti town in Tirupati district, has been honored with the prestigious Shilp Guru award for his exemplary work in Kalamkari hand-painting. Presented by Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Minister of Textiles Piyush Goyal in New Delhi, this accolade recognizes Reddy's exceptional contributions to the art form.Reddy's expertise lies in using Kalamkari to depict intricate motifs such as Ashta Dikpalakas, Navagrahas, Sri Chakram, and Padmavyuham. Over the span of four decades, he has dedicated himself to preserving and promoting Kalamkari, having trained over 120 students in his hometown.Expressing his joy upon receiving the award, Reddy emphasized the need to nurture and safeguard traditional art forms. Raised in a middle-class family, his passion for Kalamkari blossomed in childhood under the guidance of Guru Krishna Reddy. Formal training at the L Krishnaiah center further honed his skills, enabling him to depict mythological narratives through his artwork.Reddy's repertoire boasts over 2,000 paintings inspired by religious and natural themes. His dedication has earned him recognition from various quarters, including awards from the Tamil Nadu government, the National Merit award in 2010, and the Lepakshi award in 2014. Notably, he is the second individual from Srikalahasti to receive the prestigious Shilp Guru award for Kalamkari painting, underscoring his significant contributions to the art form.