Filigree artisans say yes

CUTTACK: Putting an end to all uncertainties over their participation in the ensuing Balijatra Festival, the silver filigree artisans have finally confirmed their participation in the event. Consequently, the district administration has decided to reinstate the Silver Filigree Pavilion. Earlier, when participation of the filigree artisans under Baniya Samaj was under cloud, the administration had decided to convert the Silver Filigree Pavilion into a multi-craft pavilion hosting Dhokra casting works, tribal jewellery and Pattachitra.However, the pavilion would host the Dhokra and Pattachitra artisans this year, on a smaller scale though. Of the 21 stalls in the pavilion, 18 would be for silver filigree while dhokra casting, tribal jewellery and pattachitra would be accommodated in the other three. This apart, there will be two demonstration stalls for filigree and dhokra crafts.Sources said the filigree artisans changed stance following the intervention of Cuttack city MLA Debasish Samantray, who persuaded the Cuttack Mahanagar Baniya Samaj to submit the names of participants. Samantray also stood guarantee for one-third of the expenses for the Filigree Pavilion. The administration had spent ` 10 lakh for construction of the pavilion and asked the Baniya Samaj to bear one-third of the expenses while the District Culture Council was supposed to bear the rest. However, the Samaj members had declined to share the expenses then. “The Pavilion was conceptualised not merely as a trading venture but as an initiative to promote and popularise the dying art of Cuttack city. It had met with tremendous response last year and witnessed brisk business. This has to be a permanent feature of the Balijatra festival,” Samantray said. Collector Girish S N said, the Baniya Samaj had already submitted the list of participants and estimated expenses.