Draft:Gajam Narmada

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Gajam Narmada
Gajam Narmada receiving the National Handloom Award in 2025.
Born (1979-06-15) 15 June 1979
Nalgonda district, Telangana, India
OccupationEntrepreneur
Years active2001–present
OrganizationNarendra Handlooms
Known forPromotion of Telia Rumal Handloom Textiles
AwardsNational Handloom Award (2025)

Gajam Narmada is an Indian handloom entrepreneur from Hyderabad, Telangana. She is the founder of Narendra Handlooms. She is known for promoting traditional textiles such as Telia Rumal and Ikat produced by weaving communities in Puttapaka village, Telangana. In 2025, she received the National Handloom Award from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, for her contribution in marketing and promotion of handloom products.[1][2]

She is the first woman from Telangana to receive the award in the marketing category.[1][3]

Early life

She was born in Shabdullapuram, a small village in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. She completed her education up to the Intermediate level before marrying Narendra, who belongs to a family of weavers in Puttapaka. After her marriage, she became involved with the handloom community in Puttapaka, renowned for traditional Telia Rumal textiles. She used her knowledge to update the traditional designs and adjust the sarees' color combinations to appeal to modern buyers.[4][5]

Career

Narmada began her career in the handloom industry in 2001, traveling between her hometown and Hyderabad, selling sarees to small showrooms. At a time when handlooms struggled to find buyers, she marketed directly to stores and clients, including major retailers like Kalanjali and Chandana Brothers.[1][6]

In 2013, with an initial investment of ₹10 lakh and her husband's support, she established Narendra Handlooms as the sole proprietor. Since then, they have been working together to promote the work of traditional weavers across India. The firm has a reported turnover of around ₹8 crore and collaborates with over 300 weavers, selling their products in multiple cities.[2][7]

She promotes traditional textiles like Telia Rumal, a double ikat fabric handcrafted by the Puttapaka weaving community, helping the weavers reach customers across India through her marketing efforts.

Awards

In 2025, she received the National Handloom Award in the marketing category from the Government of India for her role in promoting handloom products and strengthening the marketing network for weavers.[1][2][5][8]

See also

References

  1. "Telia Rumal takes Telangana to twin triumphs". The New Indian Express. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  2. "National Handloom Awards for two state weavers". Deccan Chronicle. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  3. "Meet the woman behind one of India's most exclusive Ikat sari brands". The Hindu. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  4. "National award for her hard work". Eenadu. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  5. "Telangana handloom workers shine at national level". United News of India. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  6. "Meet the woman behind one of India's most exclusive Ikat sari brands". The Hindu. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  7. "Selling sarees seamlessly: How a Telangana woman wove a success story". The Hindu BusinessLine. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  8. "List of Sant Kabir and National Handloom Awardees for the year 2024" (PDF). Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Retrieved 16 March 2026.

Category:Living people Category:Indian businesspeople Category:Indian textile designers Category:People from Nalgonda district Category:Handloom industry in India