Cuttack Silver Filigree Tarakasi Craft Odisha GI

Cuttack — Odisha's "silver city" — is the centre of tarakasi (silver filigree) craft, where hereditary Rani caste silversmiths draw silver wire to hair-like fineness and coil, twist, and solder the wire into intricate floral and geometric jewellery, temple figurines, miniature temples, and decorative objects that require 10-15 days of patient handwork per piece. Cuttack silver filigree has Geographical Indication status and is exhibited at national craft fairs; the district's goldsmiths' quarter in Cuttack town has produced master artisans whose work is exhibited in international museums. The craft is threatened by competition from cheaper machine-made jewellery, and the Odisha government supports tarakasi through master craftsmen (shilpa guru) recognition programmes and procurement for state gift giving.