Sally Holkar
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Sally Holkar | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | India |
| Education | Stanford University |
| Occupations | Textile revivalist, social entrepreneur |
| Known for | Reviving the Maheshwari handloom tradition |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2025) |
Sally Holkar is an American-born Indian textile revivalist and social entrepreneur, recognised for her contributions to reviving the traditional Maheshwari handloom industry in Madhya Pradesh, India.[1] She was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2025 for her work in social service and the preservation of India’s handloom heritage.[2][3]
Sally Holkar was born in the United States and studied at Stanford University.[4] She later married Richard Holkar, a descendant of the Holkar dynasty of Indore.[5]
Work in handloom revival
In the late 1970s, Holkar moved to Maheshwar, a town historically known for its handwoven textiles. Witnessing the decline of the traditional craft, she co-founded the Rehwa Society in 1979 to revive Maheshwari weaving and empower local women through employment and training.[6]
The initiative provided livelihood to hundreds of weavers and helped popularise Maheshwari sarees and fabrics internationally.[7] She played a key role in establishing Maheshwar as a sustainable textile heritage hub, preserving not just techniques but also the cultural identity linked to the craft.[8]