‘Koudi’ artisan Janakidevi N. Yereshemi receiving the ‘Kushala Kala’ award in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Janakidevi N. Yareshemi, artisan who specialises in ‘koudi’ making from Ranebennur in Haveri district, has been honoured with the ‘Kushala Kala’ State award for 2023-24 in recognition of her contribution to the promotion of the traditional art form.
Ms. Yareshemi, 77, a native of Sangur village in Haveri taluk and wife of the late N.G. Yereshemi, has been making ‘koudis’ for the past five decades and also has her own designs. Having learnt the art from her mother Savitravva and grandmother in the childhood, she continues to sew them even now. She never went to school, but has mastered the art and knows what design is best, everytime she takes up sewing a new ‘koudi’.
‘Koudi’ is a blanket made using torn clothes. Each piece of cloth is sewn together by hand meticulously and it takes several days to get one ‘koudi’ ready.
Ms. Yareshemi’s ‘koudis’ are special because of the intricate designs made while stitching them. Without using any scale or pencil, she makes designs in her mind out of her assessment made by her eyes.
It is not just her ‘koudi’ art but also her efforts to preserve and promote the art form, which have got her the award. Along with her regular initiatives to pass on the art form to the next generation, she conducted a design workshop for Lambani artisans in Sangur under the aegis of the Union government’s Ministry of Textiles, held a demonstration for students of NIFT and conducted various workshops on ‘koudi’ making.
‘Koudi’ artisan Janakidevi N. Yereshemi showing the art of sewing ‘koudi’.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The award ceremony took place in Bengaluru on April 16. Responding to the honour, Ms. Yareshemi dedicated the award to all those who have continued to promote the art form, her mother, and her children who encouraged her to go ahead in pursuing her passion.
Published – April 18, 2025 08:05 pm IST