Shri Niranjan Maharana

Shri Niranjan Moharana is a celebrated traditional Pattachitra artist from Odisha, born into a lineage of heritage painters. Beginning his craft in early childhood, he dedicated his practice to earning a livelihood while highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Odisha through material culture.
His exceptional contributions and mastery have earned him widespread acclaim, including the prestigious National Award for excellence in Pattachitra craft in 2004, alongside honors such as the Lalit Kala Ekademi Award (1995, Odisha), the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre Award (1998), and the Nagpur Mahanagar Palika Award (1994). His remarkable work has also taken him to international platforms, including exhibiting in São Paulo, Brazil (2008), presenting Krushnalila Pattachitra to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia (2007), and visiting the Australia International Sourcing Fair (2012).
Deeply anchored in classical traditions, his art utilizes authentic techniques—preparing cotton fabric canvases with double coats of tamarind seed powder paste and employing five traditional organic colors (white, black, ochre, red, and yellow) derived from natural sources to bring Puranic stories, myths, and legends to life.