The residency journey in Puri brought together two important perspectives on Pipili’s Chandua craft. The residents visited Debi Prasanna Nanda, author of Chandua Chikan Chaturi, whose writings have documented the depth and history of this appliqué tradition. His insights bridged the past with the present, showing how stories of craft find permanence in words.

They also met Seba Prakash Mohapatra, the sardar of the Darji Nijog, who shared lived experiences of the artisan community, their practices, and the challenges faced in sustaining this heritage. Together, these conversations connected scholarship with community leadership, offering residents a holistic view of Chandua as both a cultural treasure and a living practice carried forward by generations.