Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 15:

Eminent pattachitra artist Ananta Maharana passed away at his ancestral village of Dandasahi under Raghurajpur area in Odisha’s Puri district this morning.

The president award recipient painter died due to protracted illness. He was 88.

A pall of gloom descended on the famous craft village after the news of his sad demise spread.

The Shilpa Guru began his work at a tender age of eight. He is a recipient of numerous awards including Kandarpa Ratha conferred by Orissa Lalit Kala Academy.

It may be mentioned here that pattachitras are paintings on cotton, silk and palm leaves depicting mythological and folk themes. Krishna leela and Lord Jagannath are important motifs.