Learning@Unmukt
Vijayalakshumi Prabhakar
Craft & Culture Enthusiast and Advisory Board Member, Unmukt Festival
Vijayalakshumi Prabhakar has over 30 years experience working for the betterment of crafts & craftsmen, women empowerment and alleviating illiteracy.
She is a Founder Member & Secretary for OHARA Study Circle for Ikebana. She is a Founder Member of Crafts Council Andhra Pradesh and Chairperson for 6 years, as well as working on various committees. Over the years she has interacted closely with and been instrumental in motivating a Cluster Group of Banjara Embroidery Artisans. She is experienced in design innovation of craft products with stress on market demand, and worked closely on the Praveenya & Sanmaan projects of CCAP that encouraged craftsmen by recognizing their contribution to craft revival and conducted Design & EDP programmes for young craftsmen.
Vijayalakshumi took up intensive training in Natural dyes under Late Sri. K.V. Chandramouli. She started Hyderabad’s first home boutique for handlooms and introduced innovative products in traditional varieties like Mangalagiri, Uppada etc. She was also engaged in the commercial cultivation of Oyster Mushrooms and started and ran a Hand block printing unit.
She has a B.A. {Political Science, Economics & Public Administration} Osmania University SEOP 2nd Batch Diploma and a Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship from CSIM.