Cuttack artisans get busy after lull of two years
3 min readBy Express News Service
CUTTACK: Artisans of Cuttack metropolis are busy cleansing and sharpening silver backdrops and making gold jewelry for use in Durga Puja pandals this yr. The jewelry has been mendacity unused for the final couple of years when the celebrations had been muted as a result of pandemic.
Pradeep Prusty (44), a filigree artisan of Alisha Bazaar is sharpening a backdrop and likewise making new silver ornaments for Chhatra Bazaar Puja Committee. “We have been receiving back-to-back orders since July as 27 puja committees within the metropolis have determined to put in ‘chandi medha’.
They have sought cleansing and sharpening of the ornaments which have been mendacity unused for the final two years as a result of restrictions imposed on the peak of idols,” mentioned Prusty. After cleansing of silver backdrops for Kathagada Sahi and Dargha Bazar puja committees, Prusty has now obtained orders for silver ornaments like crowns, necklaces, bracelets, and many others from Chhatra Bazaar Puja Committee.
Usually, the silver backdrops require cleansing and sharpening each two to 3 years and it takes at the least 15 days for 5 artisans to shine a single piece. Initially, sulphuric acid and chemical substances like ‘sura’ and ‘suhaga’ are used after which the backdrops are polished with ‘ritha phal’, a form of fruit.
“We are getting Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 for cleaning and polishing silver backdrops and ornaments. With a few days to go for the festival, I have engaged four silver filigree artisans whom I pay Rs 400 to Rs 500 daily based on their performance,” mentioned Prusty.
Like Prusty, a number of different filigree artisans have engaged additional manpower (filigree artisans) on a day by day wage foundation for the well timed completion and supply of orders.
CUTTACK: Artisans of Cuttack metropolis are busy cleansing and sharpening silver backdrops and making gold jewelry for use in Durga Puja pandals this yr. The jewelry has been mendacity unused for the final couple of years when the celebrations had been muted as a result of pandemic.
Pradeep Prusty (44), a filigree artisan of Alisha Bazaar is sharpening a backdrop and likewise making new silver ornaments for Chhatra Bazaar Puja Committee. “We have been receiving back-to-back orders since July as 27 puja committees within the metropolis have determined to put in ‘chandi medha’.
They have sought cleansing and sharpening of the ornaments which have been mendacity unused for the final two years as a result of restrictions imposed on the peak of idols,” mentioned Prusty. After cleansing of silver backdrops for Kathagada Sahi and Dargha Bazar puja committees, Prusty has now obtained orders for silver ornaments like crowns, necklaces, bracelets, and many others from Chhatra Bazaar Puja Committee.
Usually, the silver backdrops require cleansing and sharpening each two to 3 years and it takes at the least 15 days for 5 artisans to shine a single piece. Initially, sulphuric acid and chemical substances like ‘sura’ and ‘suhaga’ are used after which the backdrops are polished with ‘ritha phal’, a form of fruit.
“We are getting Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 for cleaning and polishing silver backdrops and ornaments. With a few days to go for the festival, I have engaged four silver filigree artisans whom I pay Rs 400 to Rs 500 daily based on their performance,” mentioned Prusty.
Like Prusty, a number of different filigree artisans have engaged additional manpower (filigree artisans) on a day by day wage foundation for the well timed completion and supply of orders.
