Bhubaneswar, June 1: Renowned Rural Artist and Puppeteer, Padma Shri Awardee Maguni Charan Kuanr, Passes Away at 88

Maguni Charan Kuanr, a stalwart in preserving the cultural heritage of wooden puppet dance, breathed his last at the age of 88. The esteemed artist had been battling illness for several days and was under treatment at Keonjhar District General Hospital before being brought home by his family as his health showed slight improvement.

Earlier, Kuanr had been admitted to Keonjhar District Headquarter Hospital after feeling unwell, and later transferred to KIMS Hospital in Bhubaneswar on April 2 due to deteriorating health conditions. Tragically, Kuanr had been enduring a solitary existence after the loss of both his sons; his elder son recently passed away, while his younger son had preceded him in death a few years earlier.

Born in 1937 into a family of traditional puppeteers in Keonjhar, Kuanr's exceptional contributions to the art form earned him the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2023, bestowed upon him by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of his remarkable legacy.

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