The charm of silver
Traditional craft
Could there be any end to the beautiful imagination of an artisan? 
Undoubtedly no. For those blessed with the unique talent of creating amazing handicrafts, even the sky is not the limit. India is blessed with artisans of unmatchable skills who create breathtakingly unique craft items.
One such art which instantly draws immense admiration is the silver filigree work of Orissa. The region is also famous for its fine silver ware. The remarkably delicate designs fashioned out of thin silver wires make one wonder about the superb aesthetic sense of artisans. Cuttack, the former capital of Orissa, and its adjoining villages, are recognised internationally for excelling in silver filigree work. The place is claimed to be the hub of artisans skilled in this art, called Tarakasi in local language. The mastery of artisans there has made this craft one of the most significant export items of Orissa.
The journey of shaping ordinary silver into exquisite specimen of filigree work starts with making thin wires of the flattened metal. Mechanical aid eases the work as artisans pass the metal through a machine with a steel plate with holes of various scales that enables them to get strands of silver with varying thickness. Preferably, silver of more than ninety percent purity is used for this art.
Later, skilled hands, with the help of tools, meticulously coil, twist and wind these wires or fine threads of silver into various pieces of beauty and utility. Before a particular piece is finished, it passes through numerous processes like heating and soldering. The end product exhibits a delicate meshing of silver wire, as suggested by the term filigree, supported with silver foil.
Craftsmen mostly choose floral designs, animals and birds and come up with countless items to display their unique talent. Religiosity is also depicted in the form of replicas of temples, deities and sacred animals. Filigree work is showcased in numerous items that appeal the womenfolk, including bangles, brooches, earrings, pendants, anklets and hair pins. However, there are many items of household utility and decoration flaunting the beautiful art. What is worth mentioning is the traditional spoon called belas, commonly used for feeding milk to the young ones. For men, cufflinks, tie pins and key chains are a few things that can be added to the list.
Some studies suggest that local filigree work is comparable to similar art done in Indonesia. It is inferred that the ancient traders and caravans, belonging to the Kalinga Empire, carried this art to foreign lands. There is also a belief in certain sections that it originated in Indonesia, from where the local traders picked it up.
The origin of this art form may be uncertain, but the popularity and charm of silver filigree work continues to rule to this day.
