A Geographical Indication
certificate/tag is used to identify goods having unique or special characteristics
and originating from a definite geographical area.
In December 1999, Parliament
passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act
1999. This Act seeks to provide for the registration and protection of
Geographical Indications relating to goods in India. This Act is administered
by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who is the
Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry is
located at Chennai.
About
Geographical Indication (GI)
GI is an indication that:
· Is used to identify agricultural, natural, or
manufactured goods originating in a specific area,
· Originates from a definite territory in India
(or world),
· Has a special quality or characteristics
unique to the geographical indication.
Sambalpuri Bandha Saree - GI of Odisha, India
Some
examples of Geographical Indications of India:
April 26 is celebrated as World Intellectual Property (IP) Day.
Geographical Indication (GI) is a type of IP.
GIs are the "invaluable treasures of incredible India".
However, many are not aware of these unique local products.
We must encourage everyone to learn about the heritage and culture and associated products of our land. How can youngsters take pride in our rich possessions and skills, unless they know about the existence of these unique products? Intention for using the GI products and demand will arise after people learn about them and feel responsible to protect, promote and preserve these.
To create GI awareness and interest, here is a #GIQuiz. Please do share so that all can be aware.
Those with the maximum correct answers and participation get to win xenium (prizes)!
Answer- Gopalpur cluster of Jajpur district of Odisha is famous for Tussar fabrics.
Tussar is a type of silk.
There is another famous place by the same name Gopalpur- but, Gopalpur-on-Sea refers to a picturesque beach town located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. This place is near the 'silk city' of Odisha that is famous for the Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree And Joda.
Odisha has a rich tradition and history of handicrafts and handlooms. As per historians, handloom weaving in Odisha dates to 600 BC. Human figures sculpted on the centuries old temples reflect stylistic draping of clothes.
The Odisha "tie and dye” fabrics and sarees are called "Bandha". They are also popularly known as "Ikat" in India. The meaning of Bandha and Ikat in Odia and Malay languages respectively is the same- to tie or wind.
According to historians, Bandha is Odisha state’s heritage and historical maritime trade link with Indonesia.
The warp or weft or both are tied and then dyed as per the pre-planned designs. Then, these threads are used for weaving. The designs seem the same on both side of the fabrics.
This news did not get the deserving attention by many national newspapers and some media channels.
Even now there is misleading and fake news regarding Rasgulla- Misinformation About Rasagola Still Continues.
Thus, many are not aware of this GI tag of Odisha.
The spelling of Odisha Rasagola has the spelling "Odisha" as the application was submitted in 2019.
However, "Orissa Ikat" and "Orissa Pattachitra" have the old spelling "Orissa" as they were registered before Orissa state's name change to Odisha.
You can read more here- Odisha Geographical Indications And Spellings
How do we get to learn something some fact or information?
When someone, say family-member, friend, relative, or teacher informs us
When we read in books, magazines or newspapers- offline or online
When we watch films or videos or news channels and media coverage
Am I missing some other sources of info? If yes, please do share in the comments section of this post.
When I see the misinformation and fake news doing the rounds, it gives me great pain.
Clearly, there is a reason or purpose why some people are spreading the wrong information.
Either they themselves are not aware of facts, having got their knowledge from misleading and inaccurate sources, or they have ulterior motives to spread the wrong info.
Over the years, when many people indulge in such kind of activities, the "origin" story of a product gets rewritten or doctored. When a lie is repeated hundreds of times, it appears to be the truth.
However, "truth is still the truth even if no one believes it".
The Geographical Indications (GIs) are unique and special products of a particular area. They have earned the GI certificate from the Ministry of Commerce of the respective governments of nations. However, many people of the respective states or countries are yet to learn about them!
Take me for instance.
Despite being a culture and heritage enthusiast, I did not know about Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics, Habaspuri Saree and Fabrics, and Ganjam Kewda Flower and Ganjam Kewda Roohbefore independently researching and working for the Geographical Indications of Odisha, taking a self-initiative. However, once I knew and am in the process of knowing, it has been my sincere endeavour to create awareness and dispel misinformation.
There is a huge knowledge and awareness gap.
Our school text-books do not have information about these GI goods. I feel such information should be included in the school books. Social Studies should mention these "invaluable treasures of incredible India".
How many of our students are interested to learn something beyond what is taught in school textbooks?
This is a humble request to the authors of text-books and to the teachers: please do include this information so that the next generation can be aware.
Once we are aware, we can be proud of our rich heritage and culture.
Quizzes are a great way to test our knowledge. They are a fun and interesting way to learn.
How many of us love quizzing?
Personally, I love quizzes. Rapid-fire rounds are a good exercise for the memory.
How sharp are you when it comes to quizzing? Can you recollect names of products and places when they come up in discussions?
When I first conducted a Quiz on Odisha in Twitter in 2014, I realized how little people know about Odisha. Now, six years have passed. Things may be slightly better in this tech age and new decade. Still, it is always amazing to discover what is available in our own city/district/state/country that we were not aware.
Though some may have had heard the names and know the category of the products, they still do not know that the same products have earned the GI tags. Sadly, this includes the artisans, weavers and farmers too who are involved in making these products.
See you on 26 April 2020 on the social media handles of Odita Trust.
Test your knowledge and learn more about #OdishaGI and #GIsofIndia.
Q For- Quizzing
Quiz about Geographical Indications I am writing A-Z posts about the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI. GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics. GI products are linked with the culture, traditions, history etc. of a geographical location. Only when info is shared, people can learn and be aware. This is my sincere attempt to share information about the GI Tags of Odisha. You can check out my otherGI posts here. My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.
Let us all use GI products - the "invaluable treasures of incredible India", and encourage our artisans, weavers, and farmers.
Are you aware of the Geographical Indications of India? Do you like Quizzing?
The word Pattachitra is derived from the Sanskrit word “patta”, which means a painted piece of cloth, or a plate; "chitra" means paintings or pictures.
The brilliantly colored Pattachitra works originated at Puri. They were/are produced as souvenirs for the pilgrims of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. Pattachitra is linked with Shree Jagannath Temple.
Odisha is a culturally and naturally-rich state situated in eastern India. As per records, Odisha's history is at least 5,000 years old. Odisha has been known by many names over the centuries. "Kalinga" and "Utkala" are popularly used even today. More information here.
Odisha was the first state of India formed on the linguistic basis.
Orissa, a state of Oriya speakers, was established as a province of British India on 1 April 1936.
The English name Orissa was changed to "ODISHA" in 2011.
The spelling of Oriya language too has been changed to "ODIA" in 2011.
However, many people are not aware and continue to use the old spellings.
Many books and maps are yet to update the correct spellings.
Some organisations/offices etc. have to use the old name i.e. "Orissa" as their names still have not been changed.
How or why or when does a product or person find a place in the news?
Some Geographical Indications (GIs) are really famous and are newsmakers. GI products are known for their unique and superior qualities, reputation and characteristics. Many people have heard their names, though the same people may not be aware about the term - "Geographical Indications" or that the products have got GI tags.
Some Examples:
Darjeeling Tea - This was India's first Geographical Indication.
Nagpur Orange - It gives its city the pseudonym 'Orange City'.
Kashmir Pashmina -Handcraft shawls, stole and scarves, made from the fine wool of Pashmina goat, are sought after by buyers in India as well as abroad.
Banaras Brocades And Sarees - If there is a survey of sarees, then this famous saree should be the top-of-mind recall of a majority. It is a popular choice, especially for weddings.
Image Courtesy: Sabyasachi
Anushka Sharma chose to wear a vermillion Banarasi saree,created by several artisans from the Peeli Kothi area in Banaras, at her Delhi wedding reception.
While Virat Kohliwore a black textured silk signature bandhgala with the house buttons in 18k gold and a white silk kurta with hand-woven brocade churidaar.
These are unprecedented times. After many years, our world is presently witnessing another pandemic. In this present scenario, considering the examples of other nations, who flouted rules, we need to learn and take care.
I feel very angry when I see people eager to exercise their "freedom" by not listening to instructions. Some of them keep loitering around on the road, like old days, instead of being at home.
I saw a couple of videos posted by Indians abroad. As many nations are presently under quarantine and lockdown, people are adjusting with the conditions. Everyone has come to accept the extraordinary situations and understand that this is the new normal. They are strictly following guidance. Apart from health and medical practitioners worldwide, this is the plea of government officials and even understanding ordinary citizens.
'Kandhamal Haladi' is a variety of turmeric indigenous to southern Odisha, India. It earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag last year.
The recognition came on April 1st, 2019, on Odisha state's Foundation Day that is celebrated as Utkala Dibasa. On April 1 1936, Odisha was the first state of India that was formed on the basis of linguistic identity in the then British India.
Odisha is blessed with great natural beauty, natural wealth and congenial agro‐climatic conditions. Kandhamal is one of the districts of Odisha. It is famed for its aromatic turmeric that is called Kandhamal Haladi. Turmeric is called "Haladi" in Odia language and "Haldi" in Hindi. This agricultural product has great medicinal value, healing properties and salubrious aroma.
Odisha has a variety of unique handlooms. As per records, handloom weaving in Odisha goes back to 600 BC.
Some of the Odisha handicrafts including handlooms have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag. You can read about them here- Fabrics And Sarees Of Odisha with the GI Tag.
While many saree lovers know the name of Sambalpuri saree, the other names are not that well known. Do you know about "Bomkai Sarees and Fabrics"?
Bomkai is the name of a village in Ganjam district in southern Odisha in India.
It lends its name to the 'Bomkai Saree and Fabrics'.
Bomkai Saree & Fabrics are a GI of Odisha.
Bomkai Saree is a handloom saree from Odisha, India that originated in Bomkai, Ganjam district. Bomkai Saree has rich traditional floral, ornamental and attractive designs and motifs like flowers (Kanthiphula, Atasi, Bitter gourd, Lotus etc), birds, deer, fish, damru, dancing dolls, tortoise, creepers etc. Rows of Kumbha (temple spires) are favourite border motifs.
Kotpad is the name of a village in Koraput district in southern Odisha in India. It lends its name to 'Kotpad Handloom'. Kotpad Handloom Fabrics are vegetable-dyed fabrics woven by the tribal weavers of Kotpad. Kotpad is Odisha's first Geographical Indication (GI).
Many generations of talented tribal weavers (Mirgana caste) of Kotpad village have been weaving these natural handloom fabrics from centuries.
Ikat is a Malay word that is derived from the word "Mangikat" that means to bind, knoot or wind round. Ikat is a process of tie-and-dye weaving of handlooms. There are different names of Ikat available in different regions of India some of which have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag viz.- Pochampally Ikat in Telangana, Patan Patola in Gujarat etc. Orissa Ikat refers to the Ikat made in Odisha. It is also called “Bandhakala" in Odisha. Bandha means Ikat and kala means art.
Watch how Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik uses Orissa Ikat to demonstrate making his own mask and to be safe during this Coronavirus pandemic.
Orissa Ikat is a GI of Odisha, India. Grouping of threads for tying and dying in Orissa Ikat is carried out in minimum two and maximum four threads, which technique is not used in any other Ikat of India.
Type:Handicraft
GI Application# 22
Certificate Date: 2/6/2005
Odisha state's name's spelling has been changed in 2011.
As the Geographical Indications (GI) Application was filed in 2005, thus it is referred as Orissa Ikat. The old spelling of Odisha i.e. Orissa is a part of the GI name as Odisha state's name change from Orissa to Odisha was done six years after filing the GI application.
"Habaspuri" is named after the village of Habaspur in Kalahandi district in Odisha, where
it originated. Habaspuri is a cotton-based traditional handloom textile of Odisha.
These are handwoven by the skilled tribal
weavers of Habaspur. Presently, the places of production have increased-
Chicheiguda village in Junagarh Block, Baladimal, Chakuli, and nearby places of Kalahandi district of Odisha. Habaspuri saree is used as a ceremonial bridal saree
by the local people.
Odisha, a state in eastern India, has thirty districts. Each district has unique products.
Ganjam is a district in southern Odisha. As it is my native place, I have spent much time there.
However, there is a lot that I am still learning...
The following Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha have links with the Ganjam district:
When I started working on the GIs of Odisha, I knew about many of the GIs of Odisha, especially the handicrafts and handlooms.
But, the Ganjam Kewda Flower and Ganjam Kewda Rooh were revelations.
I felt very ignorant.
Why did I not know of them?
This is not taught in school text-books, nor had I read about them in the news media.
“A Geographical Indication (GI) is an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory”.
A traditional, unique, or reputed agricultural, natural or a manufactured cultural product earns the GI tag for a geographical region on the basis of the application submitted.
GI is a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). GI is an IPR that is a community right.
India has many handloom fabrics and sarees that have the GI tag. Odisha is just one of the 28 states of India. Odisha has a beautiful handloom heritage. Many communities in different parts of Odisha have been weaving handlooms for centuries. As per records, handloom weaving in Odisha goes back to 600 BC. Many traditional sarees and fabrics are still handwoven on looms today. The beautiful fabrics and sarees are to be seen to be believed.
Geographical Indications (GIs) refer to the unique, reputed and special products of a geographical area associated with a particular community or communities, who are creating/producing these for a considerable time.
We have many unique products that have special qualities or
characteristics. Some of these products have got the GI Tag.
“A Geographical Indication is an agricultural, natural or a manufactured
product originating from a definite geographical territory”.
GI Registry awards such cultural products the GI tag on the basis of their application to
protect manufacturers/producers.
GI Registry is a part of the Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
Government of India. DPIIT has been promoting Intellectual
Property Rights (IPR) and GIs. GI is a type of IPR that is a community
right.
Exhibitions are a great way to showcase these GI products. There can be many products from different geographical locations. Visitors belong to different age-groups and nations too. This is a great chance for networking and furthering business prospects. Plus, some of the exhibitions get good footfall and great media coverage. Exhibitions allow engagement of industry & world governments can promote greater exchange of trade in services between India and the world.Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, has been organizing and inviting artisans and producer groups to represent at such exhibitions. The following are some of the GI Exhibitions that I am proud to have attended representing Odisha: 1.GI Exhibition at BRICS Alliance Business Forum 2018 held at Taj Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi This was the first GI exhibition where I got to participate & represented Odisha's GIs products. I got to meet GI experts and GI Registered & Authorised Users from different states of India.
PM Narendra Modi ji has appealed to the citizens of India to switch off the lights in their homes at 9 PM on Sunday, 5th April 2020, and light lamps, candles or mobile flashlights for nine minutes.
Let's do this to show our nation's strength of unity in the fight against COVID-19.
During this lockdown, I'm trying to be productive.
Tapping my creativity, and my work & life-skills.
Attempting to accept & do & connect & give;
And feel grateful, making the most without frills!
I have self-nominated myself to be the only one,
Authorised to step outside our home in case of need.
All in my family need to fully follow instructions,
I'm calling friends & relatives; asking them to pay heed!
Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics are named after the village of Dhalapathar in Khurda
district of Odisha.
Parda means curtain. The handloom curtains and fabrics of this village are handmade using spinning machines. As they are unique, they have the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.
Type:Handicraft
GI Application# 207
Certificate Date: 17/07/2012
Left image- Dhalapathar Parda woven by Shri Krushna Rout in the year 1945 with the design Taj Mahal.
Apart from weaving Parda and Fabrics, weavers also weave artistic thread designs on Sarees, Lungi, Gamuchhas (towel) etc.
A community known as ‘Rangani’ weaves handloom sarees.
Rangani means ‘Rang’ (colour) and ‘Ani’ (bring) – ‘one who knows the art to
bring colour on cloth’.
Some popular names of Sarees- ‘Kusuma Kapata’, ‘Kankana
Pedi’, ‘Muktapunji’, ‘Nahati’ & ‘Akata’. Previously used during social
functions like weddings and in cultural activities like drama, arrival of
low-cost mill-printed sarees made the weavers use the craft to make Parda.
These
fabrics are hand-spun using naturally-coloured thread, made from natural
colours from leaves, fruits and trees. The talented weavers have created many natural
sceneries and floral patterns and designs like Jagannath Temple, Konark Temple,
Lingaraj Temple, Kalasha Hansa (Pot
& Swan), Surya Namaskar, Sunset Scenery, Konark Ghoda (Konark Horse), Ashoka Chakra, India Map, Odisha Map, Bharat Mata etc. on Parda.
When I first learned about Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics in 2017 while researching about GIs, I felt so ignorant that I was unaware of this beautiful handicraft from Odisha. Prof. Dr. K.D.Raju of IIT Kharagpur had facilitated the GI application for Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics for Odisha State Govt. You can learn about the process, view some wonderful works of art, and skilled weavers in his video -:
In 2018, on Prof. Dr. Raju's reference, I was invited to represent Odisha in the BRICS Alliance Business Conclave GI Exhibition at Delhi. When I tried to look for sample pieces of 'Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics' to carry with me for display in the said exhibition, I was dismayed to not find them in the shops of Bhubaneswar... I really could not and cannot still understand why and how we were/are facing such a situation- why the lackadaisical attitude and paucity? I continued looking for the samples like crazy.
Here is a GI product that is simply not available. That is why it is not known.
After all, like it's said in Hindi- 'jo dikhta hai, wo bikta hai'- what is seen, sells.
Thankfully, Odisha state's handloom cooperation, Boyanika, did have some exquisite sample pieces of Dhalapathar Parda in their safe-keeping. I am really grateful to Shri Devaraja Sahu, the manager of Boyanika, who understood the need to display to represent our state's GI. Thankfully Sahu Babu trusted me, and loaned their precious sample pieces for the purpose.
Promotion is needed for this too, else like some other handicrafts, this too may be hidden behind curtain soon.
I am writing A-Z posts about the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI. GI products are linked with the culture, traditions, history, reputation etc. of a geographical location. Only when info is shared, people can learn and be aware. This is my sincere attempt to share information about the GI-Tags of Odisha. You can check out my otherGI posts here. My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.
Are you aware of Geographical Indications? Had you heard of Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics? Please do share in the comments below.
