Overview
SharonPly organised the seventh edition of its annual I AM STRONGEST Awards on 7 October 2026 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, under the theme “CARVED IN STRENGTH: Honouring Generations of Craftsmanship & Innovation.” The ceremony recognised five master woodcraft artisans for their exceptional skill, dedication and contribution to preserving India’s woodcraft heritage.
Awardees and Highlights
The five awardees were Perunthachar Appar Lakshmanan, Dr. R. Rangachari Sthapathi, S. Maasanam Achari, S. Thirunavukkarasu Sthapathi and Kumarasamy Ramesh Sthapathi. Lakshmanan, a master carpenter from Thiruvallur, has built temple chariots across Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Ther at Chennai International Airport, received the Poompuhar State Award for 2011‑2012, authored ten books on carpentry and trained students in wood sculpture. Dr. Rangachari continues a 13‑generation legacy of temple chariot making through Rangachari Traditional Wood Sculptures, producing hand‑carved sculptures, decorative panels and architectural woodwork rooted in Tamil Nadu traditions. Maasanam, based in Madurai, works with his brothers on large‑scale carvings; his workshop supplied wooden structural components for the Meenakshi Amman Temple’s Velli Ambalam silver mandapam and carved pillars and deity sculptures for projects in Malaysia. Thirunavukkarasu, a graduate of the Government College of Sculpture and Architecture, Mamallapuram, crafted a 62‑foot chariot for the Sri Pandurangan‑Rukmini Temple at Govindapuram and a 32‑foot Athi Vinayagar sculpture carved from athi wood installed in Nagapattinam. Kumarasamy Ramesh, with over two decades of experience, leads Manasa Wood Creations, specialising in traditional woodcraft and large temple timber structures; his notable projects include the creation of 90 doors for Ayodhya’s Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, handed over in November 2025, and various temple projects in India and overseas.
Company Background
SharonPly, established in 1987, manufactures plywood, decorative veneers, doors and related products. Its manufacturing facility is located in Gummidipoondi, recognised as India’s largest plywood manufacturing plant, near Chennai. The company’s deep connection with wood underpins the significance of the 2026 I AM STRONGEST Awards.
Founder’s Statement
Mr. Vishnu Khemani, Founder and Managing Director of SharonPly, stated that a finished creation reflects not only skill but years of learning, discipline and experience. He emphasized that the I AM STRONGEST Awards place the maker at the centre, celebrating artisans whose expertise preserves traditional knowledge while evolving with contemporary needs, and that the initiative aims to inspire greater appreciation for skilled craftsmanship and encourage knowledge transfer across generations.
History of the I AM STRONGEST Awards
Launched in 2019, the I AM STRONGEST Awards recognise individuals demonstrating strength, resilience and societal service. The inaugural 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; the 2021 edition recognised everyday heroes supporting communities during the second wave, both held online. The 2022 edition focused on animal welfare, celebrating work with birds, elephants and other animals. The 2024 edition honoured Tamil Nadu’s Olympic hockey legends, while the 2025 edition recognised retired senior Army officers contributing as defence analysts. Each edition seeks to spotlight a different form of strength, with the 2026 edition turning its focus to artisans whose names may be less familiar than the remarkable works they have created.