Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, the Bidri artist from Karnataka who received his Padma Shri award on Wednesday, said that PM Narendra Modi had proved him wrong by handing the award to him. He said that he could never imagine the BJP government handing out an award to a Muslim, but PM Modi changed his perception by selecting him for the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.
When PM Modi congratulated Quadri, the Bidri artist shook the PM’s hand and said: “During Congress rule, I didn’t get it [Padma Shri]. I thought the BJP government will not hand the award to a Muslim. But you proved me wrong.”
“I tried for 10 years to get this award. When BJP government came, I thought I will not get this award because BJP never gives anything to Muslims, but PM Modi proved me wrong by choosing me for this award,” Quadri was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Apart from Quadri, the Padma Shri was conferred on 93 personalities, including actor Raveena Tandon. Nine prominent personalities received the Padma Bhushan award, while the Padma Vibhushan was conferred on six luminaries.
Bidri art, for which Quadri received the award, is a metal handicraft that originated in Bidar, a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, in the 14th century. This unique art form involves the use of a blackened alloy of zinc and copper to create intricate designs on objects such as vases, plates, bowls, and boxes. Bidri artisans use chisels, hammers, and other tools to create beautiful patterns and designs on the metal, which are then inlaid with silver wire.
The black color of the metal is obtained by treating it with an ammonium chloride solution and is what gives Bidri art its distinctive look. The intricate designs and inlays of silver give the pieces a luxurious look and are highly sought after by collectors.
Bidri art has been designated as a Geographical Indication (GI) product by the government of India, which recognizes it as a unique and valuable cultural treasure. Today, Bidri art is still produced by skilled artisans in Bidar and has become a symbol of the region’s rich cultural heritage.