Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay
Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay was born on 3rd April 1903 was an Indian
social reformer and freedom activists. She was most remembered for her
contribution to the Indian independence movement, for being the driving force
behind the renaissance of Indian handicraft, handlooms and theater in
independent India and for upliftment of the socio-economic standard of Indian
women by pioneering the co-operation. She is the first lady in India to stand
in election from madras constituency although she lost in the election but she
pioneered the path for the women in India.
Several cultural institution in India today exist because of
her vision including the national school of drama, Sangeet natak academy,
central cottage industries emporium and the craft council of India. She
stressed the significant role which handicrafts and cooperative grass root
movement play in the social and economic upliftment of the Indian people. To
this end she with stood great opposition both before and after independence
from the power centers.
In 1974 she was awarded the sangeet natak academy fellowship,
the highest honour conferred by the Sangeet natak academy, Indiaʹs national academy of music, dance and drama. She was
conferred with Padma Bhusan and Padma Vibhushan by government of India in 1955
and 1987 respectively. She is also known as Hatkargha Maa for her works in
handloom sector.
By- Govinda Sharma, Class - XI (Sc)