GI Tag for Karuppur kalamkari paintings, Kallakurichi wood carvings

The traditional dye-painted figurative called Karuppur Kalamkari Paintings, and Kallakuruchi wood carvings have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Highlights

• Kallakuruchi wood carvings is done using pens, palm stem, date trees, brushes made of bamboo stick and coconut tree stems.
• This certificate was issued the Geographical Indications Registry on the basis of an application filed by Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation (Poompuhar).

About Kalamkari

The Karuppur Kalamkari Paintings are done in Thanjavur region. These are traditional dye-painted figurative and patterned clothes. They are made for temples like ceiling cloth, cylindrical hangings, umbrella covers and chariot covers. Thanjavur tradition of Kalamkari had canopies, umbrella covers, thombai (cylindrical hangings), and ‘thoranams’ (door hangings) comprising of motifs of yazhi, peacock, swan, flowers, and images of deities. They are used in temples and mutts.

Background of Kalamkari

Artisans from Sikkalnaikkanpettai near Kumbakonam have been practicing this traditional art form for many generations. Artisans enjoyed royal patronage in times of yore. Presently, this traditional art form is practised at Karuppur in Udayarpalayam taluk of Ariyalur district as well as in villages around Sikkalnaikkapettai and Tiruppanandal in Thanjavur district.

Kallakurichi Wood Carvings

These carvings are done for designs and ornaments. These are indigenous to Madurai region

Geographical Indication

GI is a tag used to identify products originating from a definite geographical territory and have some special characteristics. The tag is governed by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 in India. The Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai issues these tags. The tag is valid for a period of 10 years. It is also a part of the “Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)” which is a legal agreement between members of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2021