Cuttack: In a major push to preserve and promote Odisha’s famed silver filigree craftsmanship, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida today laid the foundation stone for a Common Facility Center (CFC) for Cuttack’s Silver Filigree (Tarakasi) at the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) premises. The project, aimed at empowering local artisans and giving global visibility to the traditional art form, is estimated to cost Rs 10 crore.
“The silver filigree (Tarakasi) craftsmanship of Cuttack has gained worldwide recognition. An initiative has been launched to bring this traditional art to the global stage. This exquisite craft is expected to attract tourists as well,” said Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida while speaking to reporters.
She further noted that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised Cuttack’s Tarakasi work during a recent foreign visit, calling it a matter of great pride for the people of Odisha.
Highlighting the state government’s commitment to preserving the craft, Parida added, “Efforts are being made not only to encourage the artisans involved in Tarakasi work but also to modernise the designs to match contemporary tastes. This will instill a sense of pride among the artisans and enhance their confidence.”
The Common Facility Center is expected to provide advanced tools, training, and design support to artisans, enabling them to scale up production while maintaining traditional craftsmanship.
Local MLAs Sofia Firdous (Barabati-Cuttack) and Prakash Chandra Sethi (Cuttack Sadar-SC) attended the event as guests of honour and stressed the importance of preserving the region’s cultural heritage through such initiatives.
The ceremony was presided over by District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, who welcomed the dignitaries and reaffirmed the administration’s support for artisan development in the region.
