![A Life Less Ordinary](https://cdn.magzter.com/India Today/1719060288/articles/4Bl0sKwTU1719167478020/A-LIFE-LESS-ORDINARY.jpg)
Somewhere in Professor Nico Slate's compelling book on Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay is a story of how, touring South India in her capacity as Chairperson of the All India Handicrafts Board, she learnt of a community of handloom weavers in a remote village about to abandon their craft. Despite the searing May heat, she wrapped a wet towel round her head and drove off in her jeep to meet them. The village was Pochampally; the help and financial and promotional support she gave them turned them into one of the most thriving centres of handloom ikat weaving. The story is typical of Kamaladevi's commitment, passion and practicality, and is only one of many.
It is a tragedy for India that the patriarchal male-centric attitudes of policy-makers in the '50s and '60s prevented her from playing a more pivotal role in nation-building. She is known for her pioneering work in craft and the performing arts, considered suitable for a woman, but her interests and concerns were so much wider: education, gender equity, labour rights and welfare, the environment.
This story is from the July 01, 2024 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 01, 2024 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![The Exam Mess](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/PjbUrrdjX1719570936194/crp_THE-EXAM-MESS.jpg)
The Exam Mess
As Leaks And Lapses Disrupt Four National Exams And The Future Of Millions Of Students, The Spotlight Falls On The National Testing Agency And The Need For Reform And Transparency
![Keeping It Real](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/0xo7Nen4N1719574474492/KEEPING-IT-REAL.jpg)
Keeping It Real
KARTIK AARYAN SHOWS OFF HIS ACTING PROWESS AS MURLIKANT PETKAR, INDIA'S FIRST PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST, IN THE KABIR KHAN-DIRECTED CHANDU CHAMPION
![A Healthy Dose of Reading](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/5EnMJzw8F1719576144534/A-HEALTHY-DOSE-OF-READING.jpg)
A Healthy Dose of Reading
Superbugs, superdocs and the pharma-industrial complex
![The Life Eternal](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/Y6wEe16yE1719575996968/THE-LIFE-ETERNAL.jpg)
The Life Eternal
THE QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT ARE EXPLAINED IN LAYPERSON'S TERMS IN THIS BOOK BY THE NOBEL LAUREATE VENKI RAMAKRISHNAN
![It's Raining THRILLERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/AOP6Whph81719575381365/ITS-RAINING-THRILLERS.jpg)
It's Raining THRILLERS
AFTER A DRY SUMMER SPELL, A FLOOD OF FRESH FILMS SHOULD BRING RELIEF TO PARCHED AUDIENCES
![HAUTE TABLES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/udcJQaZMm1719575140447/HAUTE-TABLES.jpg)
HAUTE TABLES
MAKEOVERS ARE GIVING MUMBAI'S LEGACY RESTAURANTS A FRESH LEASE OF LIFE
![A Taste of India](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/t2n7tUjgU1719575024945/A-TASTE-OF-INDIA.jpg)
A Taste of India
Delhi's INDIAN ACCENT and Mumbai's MASQUE make it to the extended list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024
![Back to the Origin](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/wc2me8FSk1719574844545/BACK-TO-THE-ORIGIN.jpg)
Back to the Origin
Artist PARESH MAITY talks about his installation'Genesis'-at Personal Structures, a biennial art exhibition in Venice
![CONTINENTAL LINKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/V9ykY5mJI1719574698811/CONTINENTAL-LINKS.jpg)
CONTINENTAL LINKS
Hamisha Daryani Ahuja's Postcards on Netflix highlights the cultural similarities between India and Nigeria
![INDIAN COFFEE BLOSSOMS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1748246/0ZUN0-Fff1719573928398/INDIAN-COFFEE-BLOSSOMS.jpg)
INDIAN COFFEE BLOSSOMS
Indian planters are reaping a windfall as a supply deficit due to a drought in Vietnam, the biggest coffee-producing country after Brazil and the largest supplier of Robusta beans, results in a boom in prices