Cuttack Durga Puja Silver Cost Hits 1,000 Crore Mark
Cuttack's 36 puja committees are spending over 1,000 crore rupees on silver tableaux despite the metal's price surge.
Key points
- Cuttack's 36 puja committees have invested over 1,000 crore rupees in silver tableaux this year.
- Silver prices reached 250,000 rupees per kilogram, yet organizers are not reducing the scale of displays.
- The city's filigree artisans are seeing increased work as more neighborhoods adopt the silver medha tradition.
Silver prices have surged to 250,000 rupees per kilogram in the Indian market. This spike has not stopped Cuttack puja committees from expanding their silver displays. The combined value of these tableaux now exceeds 1,000 crore rupees.
Cuttack is known as the city of silver due to its filigree craft. The chandi medha tradition began in 1955 and remains a cultural anchor. ETV Bharat reports that organizers are prioritizing this heritage over cost concerns.
Committees Prioritize Tradition Over Rising Costs
Thirty-six committees currently display silver backdrops during the Durga Puja festival. The Sahebzada Bazar committee joined this group for the first time this year. Organizers state that cost is not a barrier to maintaining the event's grandeur.
Pradeep Kumar Sinha predicts that every neighborhood will eventually adopt silver tableaux. He argues that the cultural identity of the city outweighs financial risks. This stance contrasts with the high labor and material costs involved.
Artisans Benefit From Expanding Silver Demand
Tarakasi artisans in Cuttack craft these intricate silver panels by hand. The growing number of tableaux provides steady work for these skilled workers. This demand helps sustain a traditional craft that is unique to the region.
Some committees are reducing the quantity of silver used to manage expenses. Others are adding gold crowns and ornaments to their displays. This shift ensures that the visual impact remains high despite material scarcity.
Gold Ornaments Join Silver Displays
Six major puja committees have introduced gold decorations for the deities. These include locations in Choudhury Bazar and Sheikh Bazar. The addition of gold marks a significant increase in overall spending on decorations.
Kishore Behera notes that silver costs were only 7,000 rupees per kilogram in 1991. The price has since increased by more than thirty-five times. Committees continue to invest heavily to preserve the city's unique cultural status.
