SharonPly Honours Five Masters of Woodcraft at Seventh I AM STRONGEST Awards!

Chennai, October 07, 2026
SharonPly honoured five master woodcraft artisans at the seventh edition of its annual I AM STRONGEST Awards, recognising their exceptional craftsmanship, dedication and contribution to preserving India’s rich woodcraft traditions.

The 2026 edition, themed “CARVED IN STRENGTH: Honouring Generations of Craftsmanship & Innovation,” celebrated the people behind some of the country’s most intricate wooden creations. From temple chariots and sacred sculptures to monumental doors and architectural woodwork, the awardees represent generations of knowledge, skill and perseverance that continue to keep traditional craftsmanship alive.

The five awardees were Perunthachar Appar Lakshmanan, Dr. R. Rangachari Sthapathi, Thiru. S. Maasanam Achari, Thiru. S. Thirunavukkarasu Sthapathi, and Thiru. Kumarasamy Ramesh Sthapathi. Their work spans temple and heritage projects across India and overseas, while their contributions extend beyond craftsmanship to training, knowledge-sharing and supporting the wider artisan community.

Perunthachar Appar Lakshmanan was recognised for his innovative approach to traditional carpentry, including his distinctive wooden car, bike and household creations. A master carpenter from the Thiruvallur region, he has created temple chariots at several locations across Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Ther at Chennai International Airport. A recipient of the Poompuhar State Award for 2011–2012, he has also authored ten books on carpentry and trained students in wood sculpture.

Dr. R. Rangachari Sthapathi was honoured for carrying forward a 13-generation legacy of temple chariot making and traditional wood sculpture. Through Rangachari Traditional Wood Sculptures, he creates hand-carved sculptures, decorative panels and architectural woodwork rooted in Tamil Nadu’s craft traditions. His work reflects both the intricate detailing of traditional sculpture and his commitment to passing this knowledge on to future generations.

I AM STRONGEST: Celebrating Strength in Every Form
Launched in 2019, the SharonPly I AM STRONGEST Awards celebrates individuals whose actions demonstrate strength, resilience and service to society. Its first edition honoured wheelchair basketball player Malathi and social change maker Logammal. In 2020, the Awards paid tribute to frontline workers who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2021 edition recognised everyday heroes who supported communities during the pandemic’s second wave. Both editions were held online. In 2022, the platform turned its attention to animal welfare, celebrating individuals whose work extended to birds, elephants and other animals. The 2024 edition honoured Tamil Nadu’s Olympic hockey legends, while the 2025 edition recognised retired senior Army officers who continue to contribute to public understanding as defence analysts.

With each edition, I AM STRONGEST has sought to make a different form of strength visible. In 2026, the spotlight turned to artisans whose names may be less familiar than the remarkable works they have created—recognising the skill, experience and dedication behind generations of craftsmanship.