Jyotsna Bhoi
Textile artisan
2025
Years Present:
Role:
Artisan

Jyotsna Bhoi is a forty-four-year-old textile artisan and master crafter based in Kathabala, Jharsuguda district, Odisha. She began learning the craft a couple of decades ago through self-learning and community mentorship, acquiring skills through observation and sustained engagement with materials. Working primarily with locally available textiles and tools such as needle and thread, her practice reflects acquired knowledge alongside adaptations developed over time. The craft holds cultural and social significance within its community and is closely tied to everyday use, shaped by local resources and seasonal rhythms. Economically, Jyotsna Bhoi sustains her livelihood through local markets, collectives, intermediaries, institutional collaborations while negotiating challenges such as material scarcity, market pressures, or market preference. Her work has been presented at exhibitions/fairs across the country. Committed to the continuity of the tradition, she emphasizes the importance of transmitting skills and knowledge to younger generations while responding to contemporary conditions.