Sally Holkar
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. 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.
Early life and education
Sally Holkar was born in the United States and studied at Stanford University. She later married Richard Holkar, a descendant of the Holkar dynasty of Indore.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.The initiative provided livelihood to hundreds of weavers and helped popularise Maheshwari sarees and fabrics internationally. 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.
Recognition
Sally Holkar’s work has been widely recognised in India. In 2025, she was conferred the Padma Shri for her contribution to the revival of handloom and social service.She has also contributed to textile-based social enterprises and sustainable fashion dialogues in India and abroad.