Career
Gajam Govardhana was born on 1 September 1949 in the small village of Putapakka in Nalgonda district of the south Indian State of Telangana, part of former Andhra Pradesh. He heads the Padmashali family which keeps the Telia Rumal tradition alive and provides work for 500 looms in the state. He runs Murali Sari Emporium, a favoured shopping place for celebrities such as Sonia Gandhi, Shabana Azmi and Sheila Dixit among others
Govardhana is credited with several articles and publications.
He is also a recipient of many awards such as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Award for excellence (2002), National Master Weaver Award (2006), Cheongju International Craft Biennale award and the Shilpa Guru Award (2007). The Government of India recognized his services to the art of weaving when he was included in the 2011 Republic Day honours.