Silver filigree, the ancient art of making silver artefacts and ornaments by using silver wire, an art which Karimnagar town is famous for, cries for attention in separate Telangana State for protection and promotion of the age-old art and tradition.
Silver filigree was popular during the Nizam era when the rulers encouraged the silversmiths to make the exquisite silver plates, ‘pandhan’ and other artefacts as show-pieces. These artefacts made by the silversmiths of Karimnagar were made available at Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
Following the initiatives taken by the then Union Minister and present Maharashtra State Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, the silver filigree art had gained popularity in the country and worldwide. This intricate art form also secured Geographical Indication (GI) registration to prevent unauthorised production of Karimnagar silver filigree.
Ironically, the artisans of this ancient handicraft of Karimnagar town are neglected in the Telangana State Formation Day celebrations. The government had neither recognised the silversmiths nor the ancient art of silver filigree, complain the silversmiths of the town. Despite its beauty and utility the filigree articles are not finding market due to lack of adequate publicity and this may slowly kill the art as few artisans may opt for it in future.
Silver Filigree of Karimnagar (SIFKA) general secretary G Ashok Kumar said that presently only 100-odd persons were continuing the art of making artefacts by using silver and we are worried about the lack of patronage this ancient craft. He urged the government to declare Karimnagar town as “Silver City” and protect the ancient art form by providing training to fresh silversmiths and market the products globally.
Urging the government to allocate land for opening work-shed to train the silversmiths on silver filigree, he said that the work shed would also turn into a tourist hub so that there would be sale of silver filigree products.
