Jonnalagadda Gurappa Chetty Biography 
Jonnalagadda Gurappa Chetty is a painter, craftsman and writer from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, best known for his efforts to revive the dying art of Kalamkari. Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri and Maharashtra government with Tulsi Samman for his contributions towards the field of art. Known for promoting this art form, he regularly conducts workshops in different parts of India, and teaches students as well. He wrote three Telugu books related to Kalamkari art, and also contributes towards an English publication as a columnist.
Jonnalagadda Gurappa Chetty was born 1937 in Srikalahasti in British India. This place belongs to Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh at present. He was born into a family of Kalamkari artists at Srikalahasti, a temple town in the district, and he was introduced to this art by his father J. Lakshmaiah Chetty. As it is traditionally followed as a profession, he started learning this art form at a young age. He completed his regular studies along with it and also started his professional career as a teacher. However he left his teacher’s job to continue with his profession.
He continued painting, focusing on Kalamkari art, and earned success in a short period. He also authored three books in Telugu, Bharata Ratna Mala, Bhagavatha Mani Mala and Vraatha Pani (Kalamkari). Kalamkari involves 17 long steps using a natural cloth, and it is indeed a tedious process. The art is also not easy to master. Yet Chetty continued in this art form for so many years since his childhood. In fact he revived this dying art, and represents the group of Kalamkari artists who took great efforts to popularize it. He also added modern techniques to the traditional art form passed on to him through generations.
Published: October 16, 2018
Updated: October 16, 2018
