Odisha Seeks GI Tag For Cuttack’s Popular Silver Filigree Craft

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Filigree

Filigree, is also called as filigrann or This is a very unique craft form representing a delicate jewellery metalwork.
It is usually made of gold and silver.
The pieces of the craft work also constitute tiny beads or twisted threads, or both of these in an artistic combination.

History

Filigree work is often traced back to the Italian and French metal works of 17th to 19th century.
It is derived from the Latin word called “filum” meaning thread and “granum” which means grain or small bead.

An application seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the famous Cuttack Silver Filigree (Chandi Tarakasi) has been filed by the Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd.

Cuttack silver Filirgee

A part of the Odissi jewellery, silver filigrees are decorative artefacts used as accessories or home décor and as religious and cultural pieces.

The product lines include betel leaf vessels, wallets, caskets, vermilion boxes and dowry items.
Models of Jagannath temple, Konark temple and Mukteshwar arch are also created and exhibited abroad as miniature visuals of Orissian art and heritage.

In reality, historic information say how “in Cuttack the filigree work is usually achieved by boys, whose delicate fingers, and keener sight, allow them to place the advantageous silver threats along with the required rapidity and accuracy.

Components

The main components that go into making silver filigree are silver, copper, zinc and cadmium.
Different grades of silver are used in the main metal alloy and copper was traditionally mixed with the silver in the ratio of 90:10 for the creation of the desired alloy metal for the creation of filigree designs.
Copper is added to increase the strength of the metal while zinc is used in the solder metal to reduce the melting point of the alloy and increase its strength.
Cadmium was a recent addition to the solder and was added to reduce the melting point of the alloy and to increase the durability. And tin is used to lower the melting point.
The three-dimensional nature of the merchandise made in Cuttack provides them a sensible end and makes them distinctive to the Cuttack cluster.
Durga puja medhas for Durga puja pandals in Cuttack, Dama chains, Odissi jewelry and spiritual/cultural items are straight linked to the customs of Odisha.

They are skilled in creating many articles through Silver Filigree such as Spoons, cigarette cases, buttons boxes, ashtrays, jewelry, buttons pill boxes, paandans and also perfume containers.

They create special designs involving Peacock, parrots and fish which are clearly depicted in the perfume containers. These are knitted in a form of zigzag pattern which results in an intricate lace like appearance.

Karimnagar Silver Filigree also received the Intellectual property rights protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2007.
The delicate filigree work of Silver Filigree is therefore considered as a great craft which is widely popular.
There is a lot of demand for Silver Filigree from all over India, while the art collectors too come here to document the stunning work of filigree.

Other Famous Handicrafts of Odisha

Pattachitra (Raghurajpur)

It is a traditional cloth based scroll painting practised in Odisha. Traditionally it has been done on cloth canvas. The subject matter of Pattachitra is mostly mythological religious stories and folklore.

One of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha, the name ‘Pattachitra’ has evolved from the Sanskrit words ‘patta’ (canvas) and ‘chitra’ (picture).
Thus, it refers to a painting done on canvas and is manifested by rich colorful applications, creative motifs, and designs, and portrayal of simple themes, mostly mythological in depiction.
All colours used in the paintings are natural and with Pattachitra being a disciplined art form, the chitrakars maintain rigidity in their use of colors and patterns.

Pipili Applique handicrafts

A few kilometers from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. One of the most popular craft of Orissa is the Pipli applique technique work that comes from the town of Pipli. Pipli is small town, situated about 40kilometers from Puri, Orissa.
In the old days, Pipli craftsmen used to make canopies, banners, umbrellas and trasa (fans) for festivals held in Puri’s famous temple.
But as the craft’s popularity spread far and wide through the pilgrims of Puri, the craftsmen started making other decorative and utility items also.
The use of all these products are associated with the religious ceremonies of Lord Jagannath.
Applique is a French technique that basically cuts up various coloured fabrics which are then sewn to the surface of another foundation fabric.
But essentially it has now developed into a needlework technique in which smaller pieces of fabric materials like small mirrors and other forms of embroidery are sewn onto a bigger piece of the cloth to create.

PAPIER MACHE (Crafting art from waste)

Papier Mache, an art form which is highly popular in the state of Odisha, showcases the skill of Odia craftsman. This art form has been creatively practiced by artistes al over the state.
Papier Mache literally means chewed paper or pulped paper.
It is a composite material consisting pieces of paper or pulp, sometimes reinforeced with textiles, bound with an adhensive such as glue and str\arch.

Question:

Which among the following is/ are the theme of the paintings of Odisha?
1. Deities
2. Tribal Culture
3. Nature
Choose the correct option from the codes given below :