On 24 April, the Odisha Craft Odyssey team continued its field research in Puri, meeting with several state-awardee artisans and senior practitioners whose work has shaped Odisha's appliqué tradition. Among them was Kabindra Mohanty, recipient of the National Merit Award (1997), whose decades of experience offered valuable insights into the evolution of the craft and the realities of sustaining traditional practice today.
Through in-depth conversations, the team explored his artistic journey, the cultural significance of appliqué in Puri, and the opportunities and challenges facing artisans in a changing social and economic landscape. The interaction became an important contribution to the fellowship's documentation, capturing not only technical knowledge but also the lived experiences that continue to shape Odisha's craft heritage. The day's fieldwork concluded with the team's return to Bhubaneswar after completing its research engagements in Puri.
