Celebrated folk artist Smt. Nirmala Devi has been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri 2025 in the field of Art, in recognition of her significant contribution to reviving Sujni embroidery—a centuries-old traditional art form of Bihar—and empowering hundreds of rural women through craft-based livelihoods.
Sujni embroidery, once practiced primarily in Bihar’s Mithila region, was facing extinction until Smt. Nirmala Devi took the initiative to document and revive it in the late 1980s. Through her dedicated efforts, this intricate form of storytelling through thread—where each stitch narrates folklore, daily life, or social messages—has found renewed national and global recognition.
Her work led to Sujni embroidery receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2006, preserving the identity and authenticity of the craft.
In addition to her artistic contributions, Smt. Nirmala Devi founded the Bhusra Mahila Vikas Samiti, a grassroots organization that has trained over 1,000 women across 15 villages in Sujni embroidery. Many of these women now support their families through income generated from craftwork.
Her initiative not only provided livelihoods but also instilled confidence and independence in rural artisans, turning Sujni embroidery into a symbol of women’s empowerment in Bihar.
Sujni pieces created under her guidance have been showcased in exhibitions across India, the United States, and the UK, highlighting the richness of Bihar’s folk traditions on the world stage.
While receiving the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Smt. Nirmala Devi said:
“This award belongs to every woman who chose to stitch her story into Sujni and reclaim her identity through art.”
- Artistic Revival: Rescued and modernized a traditional Indian art form.
- Women’s Empowerment: Created sustainable livelihoods for rural women.
- Cultural Identity: Reinforced Bihar’s legacy in Indian folk arts.
Smt. Nirmala Devi’s Padma Shri is a tribute not only to her artistry but to her role as a changemaker, stitching threads of heritage, resilience, and hope into every Sujni masterpiece.
