Cuttack, March 2: The unique, fine silver filigree of Odisha’s Cuttack, popularly known as Rupa Tarakasi has been accorded GI Tag on Saturday.
Considering the application of the UTKALIKA, a handicraft wing of the Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd, Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry declared it this evening.
With this, as many as 26 typical and unique commodities of Odiha have been enlisted in the GI list.
Sources said the UTKALIKA had filed the application, seeking GI tag for the famed silver filigree of Cuttack, on July 1, 2021.
The applicants had traced its origins to 13th century to show historical linkage of the art to the region.
‘Tarakasi’ or ‘Silver Filigree‘ is one of the most exquisite silver craft originated from ancient Cuttack city.
In Tara Kasi workshops, silver bricks are transformed into thin fine wires or fine foils, from which jewellery, including those worn by Kings, queens, Odissi dancers, or decorative artefacts used as accessories or home decors and as religious and cultural pieces are made out.
Models of the Puri Jagannath temple, Konark Sun temple and the Mukteshwar Arch in ‘Tarakasi’ are also crafted and exhibited abroad as miniature visuals of Odisha’s art and heritage. These iconic filigrees traditionally crafted in the silver city Cuttack, used to fetch foreign exchanges from across the world.
