Hack:
- Google’s Doodle on Tuesday is about Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
- Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was a social reformer and freedom fighter
- She is regarded as the visionary behind a number of famous institutes
Google on Tuesday dedicated its quirky and creative doodle to mark the 115th birth anniversary of India’s social reformer and freedom fighter Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay.
Chattopadhyay is not just remembered for her contribution in India’s freedom movement but for also being the driving force behind the renaissance of Indian handicrafts, handlooms and theatre in independent India.
She further worked relentlessly for the upliftment of the socio-economic standard of the Indian women by pioneering the cooperative movement.
She is regarded as the visionary behind the famous New Delhi-situated theatre institute National School of Drama, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Central Cottage Industries Emporium, and the Crafts Council of India.
She is also the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama.
Chattopadhyay has also authored several books dealing with the International relations including Japan-its weakness and strength, Uncle Sam’s empire and In war-torn China.
Here’s what Google said about its doodle:
Today we celebrate Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: freedom fighter, art enthusiast, social activist, actor, youth leader, and forward-thinking women’s movement organizer (and all in one lifetime!).
Chattopadhyay’s contributions to India were numerous. Though widely known for persuading Mahatma Gandhi to call upon women to march with him in the Indian Independence Movement in the early 20th century, she is also credited for reinvigorating the culture of Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and theatre, and for using cooperative grassroots movements to pave the way for a higher socioeconomic standard for Indian women around the country.
Chattopadhyay had a career of ‘firsts’ – from being the first woman to run for Legislative office to setting up some of the first national institutions to archive, protect, and promote Indian dance, drama, art, puppetry, music, and handicrafts. She was also one of the few women of her time to propose that women’s rights, religious freedoms, environmental justice, political independence, and civil rights are all interrelated movements.
Today’s Doodle by Finland-based Desi artist Parvati Pillai depicts Chattopadhyay surrounded by many of the cultural objects and practices she fought to elevate and protect, including the bhangra, the sitar, the sarangi, Karthak dance, Chhau dance, embroidery, basket weaving, and Kathaputli.
Happy 115th birthday, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay!
(With ANI inputs)