Tarakasi: The Making of Silver Filigree

The silver bricks are then melted and drawn into wires of different gauges using this wire drawing machine.

Melted silver is passed through the heavy portion of the machine, converting into flat wires.

The thickness of the wires is determined by the design. Silver wires of various thicknesses are used in the production of any one piece.

Silversmiths burn the thicker silver wires to convert them into finer wires.

The silver wire that is ultimately produced can be extremely fine.

Tool used for silver filigree work.

Tool used to twist the silver wires.

The thin silver wire is carefully twisted using the tool.

The needle used for twisting the silver wires.

Twisted silver wires ready for filigree work.

Die used to convert flat silver pieces into various circular shapes.

Die used to convert silver into small dotted shapes for finer designs.

Various die cuts are used by the silversmiths to give shape to the silver wires.

Some basic filigree designs samples.

The first step of the process involves drawing a sketch of the design by hand. Here, a filigree craftsman is holding the sketch of a Chandi Medha, the silver filigree backdrop of the Durga idol built during Durga Puja.

Workshops and workers for the wire-making process are different from the ones where the filigree work is done.

For smaller filigree items like jewellery and show pieces, the workshops where all the silversmiths sit are generally located behind the showrooms.

They sit in groups of four or five, facilitating the complete process from twisting the silver wires to fashioning the product to cleaning the finished piece.

A lot of filigree craftsmen also have workshop spaces in their homes. Here, a team of silversmiths in their home workshop are seen crafting filigree for different sections of the tableau for the Durga Puja.

Making 'Chandi Medha', the silver tableau for the Durga idol during Puja season, is becoming increasing popular in Odisha.

A thicker wire is used to make the frame or farma and thinner wires are used to add the details inside.

The fine silver wire is twisted and moulded into fine and elaborate designs. These are fitted exactly into the frame.

All the individual pieces are assembled to make the final product.

In the filigree work of a big project like chandi medha, craftsmen also use flat shapes in the design along with fine wire work. In the image, a silversmith is cutting the silver sheet into petal shapes.

Finally, heat is used to attach all the parts assembled together. In the image, notice how the intricate wire work is filled in places with flat shapes.

Filigree work requires quite a lot of fire and heat, and more often than not, the craftsmen in Cuttack work out of small and cramped workshop spaces. For this reason, many artisans prefer to do most of their production in the winter months.

The readied silver filigree is first immersed in a solution of dilute acid for cleaning.

A tool like this is used to make the silver filigree piece shine.

Brushes used for cleaning the silver filigree products.

In the image, a craftsmen is polishing different parts of the huge filigree throne.
The craftsmen who work on bigger projects like designing the throne for the Durga Puja, also build bigger workshop spaces.

The worldwide popularity of Tarakasi keeps the craftsmen of Odisha plenty busy. Come rain or shine, the work of a craftsman does not stop.

Read more about silver filigree in Odisha here:
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- A Silver Throne for the Goddess​
​- Silver Filigree During Festivals in ​Odisha