
Anjali Sahu
Textile artisan
Artisan
2025
Anjali Sahu is a textile artisan and master crafter based in Pippalmadhab, Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha. She began learning the craft a couple of decades ago through self-learning, family apprenticeship and community mentorship acquiring skills through observation and sustained engagement with materials. Working primarily with textiles and tools such as needles, thread and 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, Anjali Sahu sustains her livelihood through local markets, collectives, intermediaries, institutional collaborations while negotiating challenges such as material scarcity, market pressures, or market demands. The work of the self-help group 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.
Anjali Sahu, textile artisan and master crafter from Pippalmadhab, Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha, creating handcrafted textile products and sustaining traditional craft practices through self-help groups and community-based learning.