Shri Rupan Matharu son of late Shri Rajan Matharu residence of Hoshiarpur hails from a family of reputed artisan and art critics of Hoshiarpur. Shri Rupan Matharu is the fifth generation in the family maintaining inlay craft and is luminary among today's inlay work artisans. He has a distinction of being honoured with State Award in the year 1989 by the Government of Punjab, National Merit Certificate from Development Commissioner (Handicraft) Government of India, New Delhi in the year 1994. National Award 1997 was presented by Bharat Ratan Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shilp Guru Award 2016 was presented by Textile Minister Shrimati Smriti Zubin Irani and Raman Singh Chief minister of Chhattisghar.
Shri Rupan Matharu has trained more than 180 artisans in the field of wood inlay craft under “Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme” (Ministry of Textiles, Government of India) and National Centre of Design and Product Development (Ministry of Textiles, Government of India), Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage Community (Ministry of Culture Government of India). He is also creating awareness among school and college students about the rich and traditional craft of wood inlay of district Hoshiarpur (Punjab). Shri Rupan is working for setting up a museum at his work place to preserve his master pieces and to create awareness among the general masses about the rich culture heritage of Punjab.
Shri Rupan has the distinction of involving new motifs, designs in the craft and mechanised the craft of keep pace with the changing time. The Hoshiarpur Handicraft Cluster established by Shri Rupan Matharu in the year 2010 in which around 160 wood inlay artisans of district Hoshiarpur are involved. Some of the artists out of them are State Awardee and some are National Awardees. The artisans has also participated in many national level as well as international level exhibition/ seminar / live demonstration programs till date. Keeping in view the achievement and his contribution for the upliftment of wood inlay work, he has been recognised by many organisations and institutions.
His son Shri Kamaljit Matharu, carrying his family’s legacy in wood inlay art. He has also won several National awards. Shri Kamaljit conducted training sessions, participated in national as well as international exhibitions and delivered live demonstrations at many places.
