What to Expect from the 2025 Handicrafts Awards Ceremony in New Delhi?

The 2025 Handicrafts Awards ceremony, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on December 9, will honor master craftspersons for their exceptional contributions in 2023 and 2024. This event is part of the National Handicrafts Week, which celebrates India's rich artisan heritage through various activities aimed at promoting craftsmanship and supporting artisan livelihoods. The awards recognize outstanding artistic talent and the government's commitment to preserving traditional crafts. Join us as we explore the significance of this event and its impact on India's cultural landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 15:47 IST

Celebrating Craftsmanship: The 2025 Handicrafts Awards

New Delhi: On December 9, President Droupadi Murmu will present the Handicrafts Awards 2025, honoring exceptional master craftspersons for the years 2023 and 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Textiles on Friday.

This prestigious event will take place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi and is a key highlight of the National Handicrafts Week, which kicks off tomorrow.

According to the Ministry, these esteemed national awards celebrate outstanding artistic talent and underscore the government's steadfast dedication to safeguarding and promoting India's rich handicraft traditions.

Since their establishment in 1965, the National Handicrafts Awards have acknowledged remarkable artisans whose outstanding craftsmanship has significantly enriched the cultural fabric of the nation.

The Shilp Guru Awards, launched in 2002, represent the pinnacle of recognition within the Indian handicrafts industry, honoring artisans who exhibit exceptional skill and creativity, thereby ensuring the preservation and evolution of India's diverse craft heritage.

National Handicrafts Week, celebrated annually from December 8 to 14, serves as a tribute to the artisans of India and highlights the lasting cultural importance of handicrafts.

This week will feature a variety of activities and public engagements designed to raise awareness, enhance artisan livelihoods, and promote the socio-economic importance of the handicrafts sector in modern India.

Key events will include exhibitions showcasing remarkable craftsmanship, thematic workshops, capacity-building initiatives, craft demonstrations, panel discussions, outreach programs, and cultural performances.

The handicrafts sector is a vital part of India's cultural and economic landscape, preserving age-old traditions, supporting millions of livelihoods, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, and making a significant contribution to the country's export revenues.

The Ministry emphasized its commitment to supporting artisans through recognition, skill development, technological advancements, financial empowerment, and improved access to both domestic and international markets.

Through these efforts, the government aims to elevate India's handicraft legacy, strengthen artisan communities, and ensure that traditional crafts continue to flourish in today's world.