The Crafts Council of India (CCI) has selected Udupi saree artisan Vyasaraya Shettigar for the national – level ‘Shanta Prasad Award for Excellence in Weaving’ for the year 2020. The award ceremony, which was supposed to be held on April 18, has been postponed.
VyasarayaShettigar, aged 79 years, is one among only nine Udupi Saree weavers who can weave fine 80 count saree with Butta. Shettigar started weaving at the early age of 15. He is one of the talented weavers who has taught the majority of weavers to fine-tune their skill of weaving. He is affectionately called ‘Master’ by the weaving community.