Kataka: Noted historian, researcher and heritage lover Anil Dey passed away at a private hospital in Kataka on Monday following a brief illness. Dey, who was Chairman of the Kalinga Heritage Preservation Trust (KHPT), had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time due to illness. Widely known for his extensive research on the Konark Sun Temple, Dey critically examined existing theories on the temple’s construction, different phases of development and eventual decline. Playing an active role in heritage conservation as Chairman of the Kalinga Heritage Preservation Trust, he worked to promote the preservation of Odisha’s architectural legacy and advocated for the continuation of traditional Kalinga temple architecture and spiritual craftsmanship. Before dedicating himself to heritage research, Dey had a distinguished career in government service.