A Voyage to Elsewhere

By Shri Dipak Samantarai

Today is Kartika Purnima. An auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It’s also the day on which Guru Nanak Dev was born.
In the wee hours of the night/morning women of our state, especially the married ones, go to the nearest water holes and sail paper boats with lamps lit on them. This is a symbolic ritual that reminds of a real act, seeing off of Sadhabapua setting sail to distant lands for trade and cultural exchanges.

Some otherwise informed intellectuals question the veracity of this connect. It’s true that the Odia sailors have not ensured that their stories be made available to the future generations in the shape of inscriptions as the kings and rulers have done. But a closer analysis of the comparative cultures of Odisha with our ‘supposed’ trade partners tells a different tale. The maritime history of Kalinga sailors lies littered in the islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The celebration of popular festivals of a similar nature reinforces it.

Cuttack Heritage Walks , 6th Edition

On the occasion of Deepabali CHW promised to retrieve the light of our heritage and history from the darkness of ignorance and indifference. After covering the gems within the Barabati Fort we went to Christ Collegiate School, a dilapidated imperial structure of 1883 vintage. Our posts will tell you the pathetic story in instalments.

Silver Filigree Walks 2.0 , Dusshera in Cuttack

Silver Filigree Walk 2.0 completed this morning of Maha Saptami (5/10/19).
Photographs by the Hon’ble Members of Cuttack Heritage Walks.
The backdrops (Chandi Medhas) and silver filigree as well as gold ornaments looked absolutely stunning with the majestic images of Devi and her consorts.
In the earlier edition we had seen the backdrops and ornaments being made by the silver filigree artists and artisans with love and care.

Cuttack Heritage Walks , 4th Edition

Barabati Beckons went off smoothly this morning. Inspite of threatening clouds floating over our heads, more than thirty friends showed up for CHW. Sri Om Prakash Mohanty was felicitated for his love for Cuttack and contribution to music.

We covered the Barabati Ruins, Bukahari Baba’s Mazar, Barabati Gate, Moat, Sahi Quilla Masjid, Judicial Museum and Police Museum. The last destination was a surprise for many. The rain gods were kind enough to allow us a liberal let up.

Picture by Shri Dipak Samantarai

Cuttack Heritage Walks , 3rd Edition

Ignoring the weather man’s warnings, about thirty culture enthusiasts participated in this 3rd edition of the CHW.
Apart from the usual itinerary, they went round the State Maritime Museum, a storehouse of glorious memories. Historian Anil Dhir told that innumerable collectibles associated with our maritime history are lying scattered throughout the state, efforts should be made to collect and showcase those artefacts here in this Museum

Picture by Sri Sajal Sheth

Cuttack Heritage Walks – 2nd Edition

The walk attended by 25+ heritage enthusiasts from the twin cities of Cuttack & Bbsr, started from Nehru Indoor Stadium gate at around 6.45 AM. The 1st site was the historic Barabati Fort where the walkers led byShri Dipak Samantrai shared the info regarding the fort passing hand from Gangas to Gajapatis to Afghans to Moghuls to Marathas & finally to the Britishers. What remains now is just the remnants of a great fort systematically destroyed.

Picture By Taranisen Pattanaik

Silver Filigree Walk – Cuttack

Silver Filigree Walk, a Cuttack Heritage Walks initiative, was specially curated to provide a window to the exquisite world of Silver Filigree of Cuttack. Known as Cuttacki Tarakasi it is a unique and fascinating art form. It’s origin is not exactly known, but evidence suggests that it gained credence and circulation during the Moghul era. Presently suffering from government apathy and social indifference, it is passing through a difficult phase.

Famous Silver Filigree Work from Cuttack – Crown Making. Copyright Photo of Bikash Chandra Das

It has a chequered history. Participants of Silver Filigree Walk on last Sunday went to a couple of workshops located in Alisha Bazar and Mohamadia Bazar area of Cuttck, the original hub of filigree art. They interacted directly with the artists and artisans. Filigree is designed by joining pieces of silver wire of various thickness without using mould as is done in other forms of art.

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