Handmade in India

The riverine district
of Cuttack is the
former capital of
Orissa, and also the
oldest city in the
region. The Keshari
dynasty founded a
military camp called
`Kataka` in 989 AD,
from which the city
derives its name.
The Barabati fort in Cuttack is an important historical
landmark of Orissa. Some of the earliest and valuable
Buddhist sites are located at Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri on
the banks of the River Birupa in the district. Situated
on the Mahanadi delta, Cuttack is a prominent
commercial centre now. Most of the canals used for
irrigation and transportation in Orissa are found here.
The district is rich in handicrafts which contribute
greatly to its economy. Ikat, the yarn tie resist dyed
technique of Nuapatna is the most famous and revered
craft of Cuttack. The region is also famous for silver
filigree, a craft which was introduced by the Mughals
when they conquered Orissa in the 15th century AD.
The katki chappal, handcrafted footwear is unique to
the district. Other crafts that Cuttack is known for are
metal utensils and carved wooden objects. Located on
the banks of River Vaitarani, the neighbouring district
of Jaipur, which is part of this metacluster, is nearly
92 km away from Cuttack. It was once the capital of
Utkal territory and prosperous in trade and commerce.
It is now an important pilgrimage centre, having many
sacred shrines. Stone carving and articles of sikki are
the crafts practiced here.
ACCESS
Cuttack is well connected to other parts of Orissa by
rail and road. The closest airport is at Bhubaneshwar,
30 km away.
RESOURCES
Craft Raw Materials Sources
Silver
filigree
Pure silver
Copper
Charcoal
Dilute sulphuric acid
Local market
Sikki craft Sikki - grass Sambalpur, Puri, Barmdipur
and Kendrappa
Stone
carving
Wood
carving
Boimara stone
Woods - Gambhari,
Sagwan
Inset : Bell metal casting is widely
practiced craft. Clay moulds with
openings for pouring molten metal
are placed in a coal furnace.
1 Detail of the cross border of a silk
sari with bandha motifs of flower,
fish and butterfly figures, Nuapatna.
2 Detail of silver filigree work of
Cuttack. The craftsman is working on
the main frame called farma which is
later elaborated by filling in forms
called sikko made of thinner wires.
Mountains of Lalitgiri
Dhenkanal and Koraput
district
Subclusters of
CUTTACK
Cuttack district:
Cuttack, Bhatimunda
Narshinghpur
Baramba, Lalitgiri
Sukhapada
Jaipur district:
Madhupurgarh
Crafts of
CUTTACK
Bandha - yarn tie
resist dyeing
Silver filigree
Applique
Dhokra casting
Brass and Bell metal
utensils
Sikki Craft
Horn work
Katki chappal -
leather footwear
Stone carving
Terracotta
Wood carving
3 Dhokra casting in process in Baramba. The artisan
is wrapping the clay core with wax threads which
when melted will be replaced by meta.
4 Brass and bell metal vessals used for storing water
in Bhatimunda. Besides ritual objects, a range of
cooking, serving and storage vessels are made by the
Kansari craftsmen. The large pots are called handa,
the small pot is called ghada while the bowl is called
konsa.