Umesh Mahapatra is a 45-year-old appliqué artisan based in Pipili, Puri district, Odisha. He began learning the craft at the age of 12 through family-based training, continuing a lineage rooted in traditional chandua making. His work involves the use of colourful appliqué fabrics, thread, and mirrors, executed through tools such as scissors, needles, and measuring instruments. His practice spans ritual, festival, and everyday contexts, reflecting the broad applicability of appliqué within both sacred and domestic spaces. Operating primarily through local markets, his work also circulates through regional exhibitions and fairs. However, his practice is shaped by ongoing challenges, including material shortages, market competition, and a visible generational shift where younger members show limited interest in continuing the craft. His participation in exhibitions across cities such as Bhubaneswar, Delhi, and Hyderabad reflects attempts to extend the reach of his work beyond local economies.