Shopping at Cuttack
Cuttack is a vibrant commercial centre which is situated on the delta created by the Kathjori and the Mahanadi rivers. Cuttack earlier called Abhinaba Baranasi Kataka was over the ages the capital of Orissa. Tourists from all over come to this city for shopping and take home exquisite handlooms, handicrafts and silver filigree from the shops in Cuttack. Tourists at times get confused about What to buy in Cuttack Orissa.
To be more specific they are produced in the districts of Sambalpur and Sonepur and hence are popularly called sambalpuri and sonepuri style of handloom fabrics. The traditional weavings of Maniabandhs are not as exclusive as that of the sambalpuris or the sonepuris; however you get traditional animal motiffs and some other patterns and designs typical of the Maniabandhis. Their saris comprise of both silk and cotton.
If the shopaholics are thinking What to buy in Cuttack Orissa, then they can try out the Silver Filigree or “Tarakashi”. It is one of the places in Cuttack which produces one of the best silver crafts. Ornaments like necklaces, ear pendants, brooches, anklets, hairpins, bangles and those worn by the Odissi dancers are some of the items manufactured. There are exquisite showpieces, utensils and Puja items also which find a very good global market.
If you are wondering What to buy in Cuttack Orissa then you must also go for some of the exquisite handicrafts that bear a tradition that is century old and speaks of a vibrant culture. Buddhism, Jainism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism have had their influences in this art form and it also adheres to strong tribal traditions. There are different variants like the Stone arts, Applique arts, Wooden paintings, Wooden carvings, Dhokra, Laquer arts, Paper Maiche Masks and Patta paintings.
Silver Filigree:
chariot Filigree is a unique craft. It has its own intricate designs and superb craftsmanship. Cuttack District has a long tradition of meticulous and sophisticated craftsmanship in silver filigree works. Locally known as ‘Tarakasi’, the silver filigree of Cuttack is noted for its delicateness and intricate workmanship. The art is ancient which has its origin in Persian countries since 15th century. This craft had sufficient patronage during the Moghul period but subsequently suffered for lack of encouragement and marketing facilities. Most of the artisans engaged in the trade had to seek other avenues for their livelihood under difficult conditions. In 1952, the State Govt. took a bold step to ameliorate the conditions of these artisans by bringing them into co-operative fold.
There are three categories of filigree crafts, such as Rose work, Siko work and Jari work in making filigree articles. Filigree work is distinguished from other ornaments and jewellery by excellent finish, fine foils, textures and snowy glaze. That is why they are presented as gifts to persons of national and international eminence visiting the state. Decorative pieces of Lord Krishna’s chariot, Konark Chakra and variety of other eye catching and spectacular silver ornaments are a craze among the modern fashion loving people.
Ikat Design Sarees:
The art textiles are characterized by bold and unusual patterns, beautiful blend of colours and luxuriant textures having an individuality of their own. The weavers of Cuttack produce sarees and other fabrics in beautiful designs and colours using the hand operated looms. The distinctive feature of Odisha textile industry is the ‘Ikat’ design. This design which finds its ancient linkages with the maritime activities of South-East Asia is an intricate process of tie and dye.
Brass/ Bell Metal Works:
Bell metal-ware occupies a pride place in Odisha’s history. The artisans of brass and bell metal are traditionally called ‘Kansari’. They propagate ancient and modern methods of manufacturing utensils and decorative items which are of traditional shapes. These items are used in temples and houses for religious and other purposes. Every brass and bell metal utensil with its shape and metal composition has got its own characteristic and is known for its cooking and medicinal properties.
Horn Works:
Mystical and awe-inspiring, richly textured and finely fashioned from the horns of animals, the hand crafted horn works are a class apart. The horns that are mostly from buffaloes and cows, require a high degree of skill and imagination in application. The artisans who excel in this art have used the specific texture of this material to mould all sorts of objects with a marvelous degree of fluidity of movement. The craftsmen of Cuttack skillfully fashion horns into birds arrested in flight, animals of prey caught prowling, bulls fighting, fish-guzzling cranes, deers nuzzling their young and elephants rolling logs. Combs, pen stands, pipes, lamp-stands etc are some of the minor articles that these craftsmen produce.
Paper Mache Masks:
It is literally “chewed paper”, “pulped paper”, or “mashed paper”) is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste.
Papier mache is a process in which strips of newspaper (usually) are dipped in a mixture of either wallpaper paste and water or glue and water, then laid over a sculpted mold.
Choosing your materials:
Newspaper is the most common choice. However, using industrial paper towels makes for a stronger layer. The towels also take the shape of the mold more easily and can be made to have more definition.
Wood carving:
Wood carving is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. The phrase may also refer to the finished product, from individual sculptures to hand-worked mouldings composing part of a tracery.
The making of sculpture in wood has been extremely widely practised, but survives much less well than the other main materials such as stone and bronze, as it is vulnerable to decay, insect damage, and fire. It therefore forms an important hidden element in the art history of many cultures. Outdoor wood sculptures do not last long in most parts of the world, so it is still unknown how the totem pole tradition developed. Many of the most important sculptures of China and Japan, in particular, are in wood, and so are the great majority of African sculpture and that of Oceania and other regions. Wood is light and can take very fine detail so it is highly suitable for masks and other sculpture intended to be worn or carried. It is also much easier to work on than stone.