CUTTACK: The unique silver filigree craft of Cuttack is in line for joining the list of ethnic Orissan products and produces that are protected under the Geographical Indications (GI) tags.
Filigree craft of Cuttack is believed to have distinct features of its own developed by generations of traditional artisans. Renowned institutes like NIFT or IIT Kharagpur, who have already worked in the field of Pipli Applique, Konark Stone carving or Pattachitra, are proposed to be engaged in documenting the differentiating traits to set the geographical exclusivity parameters.
“The craft is found in several parts of the country and the world. But we would be identifying the uniqueness of design and workmanship of Cuttack that sets them apart from others. By documenting them, the process for GI registration would be initiated,” Director of Handicrafts N Palai told this paper.
Presently, several art and craft of Orissa like Pipli Applique, Konark stone sculpture, Pattachitra of Puri and Orissan ikat have been GI registered while the process is on for Soura paintings of Rayagada and Dongra Kondha tribal art. GI registration formalises the right or authority of any produce or product to its geographic origin.
No other region or producer can manufacture or trade in it.
As a precursor to the initiative, a survey on the status of filigree craft and craftsmen is being undertaken by the Handicrafts Department in Cuttack. A comprehensive enumeration of the artisans is on to compile a comprehensive database on the number of people, economic status, manufacturing volume, flight to other trades and vocations, a number of showrooms, and volume of trade.
The survey would also set pace to the ambitious Silver Filigree hub project to give a boost to the craft and the artisans in the city. About three acre have already been identified for the purpose at Matamath on the banks of the Mahanadi and transfer is in the process.
The Department is now working on appointing an expert agency to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the hub that would be a composite unit providing training, raw materials, design and development, quality maintenance laboratory as well as marketing facilities for the artisans.
“We have communicated with the Gems and Jewellery Production Council of India in Kolkata, which has carried out similar projects at Jaipur and Ahmedabad, and Export promotion Council for Handicrafts for preparation of the DPR,” Palai said.
Meanwhile, the traditional craftsmen under the Cuttack Mahanagar Baniya Samaj has called for appointment of a Nodal officer for the hub project.
The officer would be instrumental in expediting the processes as well as coordinating with agencies to ensure timely fructification of the plans, advisor, CMBS, Ramesh Chandra Sahoo said.