Sasmita Ojha
Textile artisan
2025
Years Present:
Role:
Artisan

Sasmita Ojha is a textile artisan and master crafter based in Pippalmadhab, Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha. She began learning the craft a decade ago through self-learning and community mentorship acquiring skills through observation and sustained engagement with materials. Working primarily with textiles and tools such as needles, threads, sewing machines, her practice reflects acquired and practiced 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, Sasmita Ojha sustains her livelihood through local markets, collectives, intermediaries, institutional collaborations while negotiating challenges such as material scarcity, market pressures, or market demands. Her work has been presented at exhibitions/fairs across the state. Committed to the continuity of the tradition, she emphasizes the importance of transmitting skills and knowledge to younger generations while responding to contemporary conditions.