Smt. Kamladevi Chattopadhyay

The founder President of AVARD was a renowned social reformer and freedom fighter. She played a crucial role in the revival of traditional handicrafts, handloom and theatre crafts. She was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award for community leadership. Chattopadhyay was a woman ahead of her time, she was instrumental in setting up the All India Handicrafts Board, and was also its first chairperson. The Crafts Council of India was also the first president of the World Crafts Council, Asia Pacific Region.