NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, August 1, 2025: In a first-of-its-kind celebration that blended medicine with tradition, the Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPI) hosted a fashion show, “From Stethoscopes to Silks,” during its 36th Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly, held July 18–20, 2025, at the elegant Gas South Convention Center.
The show saw 40 Indian-origin women physicians take to the runway in handwoven sarees to spotlight India’s master weavers and their craft. The stage transformed into a vibrant tapestry of India’s textile heritage as the physicians walked draped in rich Kanchipuram, Paithani, Chanderi, Banarasi, Gadwal, Patola, Mysuru silk and Kota sarees, turning the spotlight on artisans whose handloom traditions have been passed down through generations.
“This show is our tribute to their genius, their struggle, and their silent magic,” said Dr. Nandini Sunkireddy, founder of Aspire Medical Group, speaking about the weavers who create each saree over months of painstaking work. “As physicians, we heal bodies. But these artisans heal heritage, identity, and memory.”
“This show is our tribute to their genius, their struggle, and their silent magic,” said Dr. Nandini Sunkireddy, founder of Aspire Medical Group, speaking about the weavers who create each saree over months of painstaking work. “As physicians, we heal bodies. But these artisans heal heritage, identity, and memory.”
The showcase was choreographed by Sri Harini Yella and featured narration by medical student Sakshika Vakiti, who shared the origins and stories behind each weave. Sarees were curated by Houston-based designer Prashanti Vallabhaneni, known for her work in elevating Indian handlooms to contemporary stages.
The vision for the show came from Dr. Lalitha Medepalli and Dr. Shyamala Erramilli, who described the event as a tribute not only to craftsmanship but also to holistic healing, which they said includes preserving cultural heritage.
Among the 40 participating physicians were Dr. Umamaheswari Jonnalagadda, Dr. Swati Gaur, Dr. Rani Reddy, Dr. Kaavya Chivukula, Dr. Santhi Adigopula, and Dr. Madhavi Rayapudi, along with many others representing diverse specialties in medicine.
The 40 participating physicians who walked the runway were:
Dr. Lalitha Medepalli, Dr. Syamala Erramilli, Dr. Umamaheswari Jonnalagadda, Dr. Swati Gaur, Dr. Rani Reddy, Dr. Kaavya Chivukula, Dr. Santhi Adigopula, Dr. Madhavi Rayapudi, Dr. Sreevalli Dega, Dr. Sunita Gupta, Dr. Divya Joshi, Dr. Haritha Arikatla, Dr. Gayathri Devineni, Dr. Swetha Addagatla, Dr. Nandini Sunkireddy, Dr. Lakshmi Gopireddy, Dr. Sudha Tata, Dr. Anusha Vakiti, Dr. Neelima Kothari, Dr. Haritha Pabbathi, Dr. Harika Puttagunta, Dr. Lalitha Bandi, Dr. Anjali S. Vekaria, Dr. Chandana Prabhudev, Dr. Sangita Acharya Sharma, Dr. Anupama Inuganti, Dr. Gurleen Kaur, Dr. Madhavi Siddhanthi, Dr. Sowmya BrahmaDevi, Dr. Shalini Jaitly, Dr. Meenu Singhal, Dr. Aparna Kakarala, Dr. Annapurna Bhat, Dr. Supriti Gargya Balyan, Dr. Indira Devu, Dr. Sowjanya Chava, Dr. Sarita B. Sharma, Dr. Priya Vishnubhotla, Dr. Soumya Shivashankar, and Dr. Sreedevi Vayalapalli.
Each saree showcased at the event carried the story of an artisan community—many of whom live in rural India in modest conditions yet create textiles renowned worldwide for their intricate designs and vibrant colors. A single saree, organizers noted, can take anywhere from 15 days to six months to complete.
Through “From Stethoscopes to Silks,” GAPI hopes to raise awareness about the struggles and significance of India’s weaving communities, whose contributions to cultural heritage often go unrecognized. The event served not only as a fashion show but also as a movement to inspire respect for the artisans and revive interest in handwoven textiles.
“It was more than a runway,” organizers said. “It was a call to honor our roots, empower our artisans, and wear our culture with pride.”
