Thank you dear subscribers, we are overwhelmed with your response.
Your Turn is a unique section from ThePrint featuring points of view from its subscribers. If you are a subscriber, have a point of view, please send it to us. If not, do subscribe here: https://theprint.in/subscribe/
In an era dominated by mass production and rapid industrialisation, traditional crafts in India survive largely through the perseverance of individual artisans. One such story comes from Lalitgiri in Odisha’s Cuttack district, where traditional wood sculptor Pradyumna Maharana has devoted more than four decades to preserving an art form rooted in heritage, discipline, and community learning.
Pradyumna Maharana began learning wood carving at the age of twenty under the
traditional Guru–Shishya Parampara with his guru Shri Madhusudan Ojha, a nationally
recognised master craftsman. This apprenticeship demanded patience, observation, and
years of disciplined practice.
To strengthen his skills, Maharana later received formal training at the State Institute of
Handicraft Training, Bhubaneswar. Over time, his craftsmanship developed a distinct
identity rooted in religious and mythological themes rendered in wood.
His work includes wooden sculptures of deities, temple carvings, decorative panels, and
traditional motifs reflecting Odisha’s cultural vocabulary. This sustained dedication was
recognised in 2011, when he received the State Handicraft Award for wood carving.
Beyond personal achievement, Maharana has trained more than 100 youths from nearby
villages, many of whom are now self-employed artisans. He has also successfully conducted
government-supported Guru–Shishya Parampara training programmes, appreciated by
officials of the Odisha State Handicrafts Department.
For the past three years, he has been associated with the Raghunath Jew Temple
administration at Nilakanthapur, Kendrapada, contributing wood carving work within the
temple premises.
His sculptures have also been installed at religious and cultural sites in other states
including Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat, indicating the wider reach of his
craftsmanship.
His work was showcased at the Olasuni Handicrafts Exhibition 2026, where it received
appreciation from visitors and public representatives, including Jajpur MLA Amar Nayak.
Regional media including Odia dailies Sambad and Dharitri, as well as television channels
OTV and Prarthana TV, have featured his journey and craftsmanship.
Despite recognition, Maharana continues to work from his village workshop, focusing on
continuity, teaching, and respect for inherited knowledge systems.
As discussions around self-reliance and cultural preservation gain momentum, stories like this highlight the role of individual artisans in sustaining living traditions across generations.
His journey reflects how individual artisans continue to preserve India’s living craft
traditions through sustained practice and community engagement.
Author Bio
Jiptesh Moharana is based in Odisha and writes on traditional crafts, culture, and grassroots
livelihoods.
Mobile: +91-7416726526
Email: jiptesh@gmail.com
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.