India, Jan. 26 -- In the handloom cluster of Maniabandh Nuapatna in Athgarh of Cuttack district, Sarat Kumar Patra has spent 60 years doing what few have managed-keeping an ancient craft alive while pushing its boundaries.

Born into a traditional weaver family in Tigiria of Cuttack, Patra over the years has developed more than 50 shades of natural dyes, painstakingly reviving dyeing processes that had all but vanished from living memory. His fabrics-sarees, dress materials, dhotis, scarves-woven in cotton, silk, and bapta (a cotton-silk blend), are sought after across the country. Some have found their way to the sanctum of Lord Jagannath in Puri, draped as offerings during festivals.

He has also trained over a hundred young weavers, ma...