FIVE RURAL CRAFTS FROM BENGAL EARN GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION PROTECTION:-

THE NEWS

Five rural crafts from the State of Bengal secure Geographical Indication protection by the Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India.

KEY-FACTS ABOUT THE FIVE RURAL CRAFTS OF BENGAL:

The Chau mask of Purulia:

  • The word ‘Chhau’ ordinarily means a mask and because the dance is performed by use of mask, it is called ‘Chhau dance’(originates in the Purulia district in West Bengal).
  • Moreover, 500 families were involved in the making of large and colorful Chau masks used in the Chau dance, also known as Chhau.

The wooden mask of Kushmandi:

  • The ecstatic wooden masks of Kushmandi in Dakshin Dinajpur is associated with the Rajbongshi community. Around 250 artists are engaged in making Wooden and Bamboo Masks and other items of decor.
  • These masks are part of the costume of the traditional Gomira dancers who perform to propitiate the deity to usher in the 'good forces' and drive out the 'evil forces'.

The Patachitra:

  • Pattachitra or Patachitra is a general term for traditional, cloth-based scroll painting, based in the eastern Indian state, West Bengal and Odisha.
  • The subject matter of Bengal Patachitra is mostly mythological, religious stories, folklore and social.

The Dokras of Bengal:

  • Dokra is non–ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still being used.
  • The product of dhokra artisans is in great demand in domestic and foreign markets because of primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs, and forceful form.

Madhurkathi (a kind of mat):

The craft is traditional to the Santhal tribe of West Bengal. Madhurkathi grass which is abundantly available in West Bengal such as in 24 Pargana area is used in weaving traditional mats (floor mats and curtains/blinds)

WHAT IS GI-FAME?

  • A GI tag connects the quality and authenticity of a given product to a particular geographical origin, thereby ensuring that no one other than the authorized user can use the popular product’s name.
  • GI tags are given on the basis of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

CONCLUSION:


GI tags for these five rural crafts would not only help the artisans create their own brand but would also provide legal protection to artisans practicing the crafts against attempts to duplicate them in other regions. The GI status for five rural products will have a direct impact on the occupation of 5,000-6,000 families in the State.

Source :- Chanakya IAS

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