Karimnagar has been the centre of Indian silver filigree work — locally called Tarkasi — for around 400 years. The craft involves drawing silver into very fine wire, then twisting and coiling it into intricate lace-like patterns. The Elgandal neighbourhood near the old fort is the traditional home of the artisans, and during the Nizam era noblemen commissioned elaborate filigree trays, boxes, and jewellery that ended up in the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
The craft received Geographical Indication status in 2007. A cluster of workshops around the Karimnagar town centre and Elgandal sell finished pieces directly — you can watch the artisans at work, which is in itself worth the visit. Small items like earrings and pendants are reasonably priced; elaborate pieces take weeks and are priced accordingly.