Exploring Tamil Nadu's GI-Tag Products: Part 1

The culturally blessed state of Tamil Nadu is home to many treasures in the realm of art, craft and culinary tradition. It boasts a wide variety of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products that represent the cultural fabric of its people. A GI tag is a type of intellectual property protection granted to products specific to a particular geographic region which possess qualities or a reputation due to their origin. The tag helps to protect and promote these products, ensuring that only those produced in the designated region can use the name. In Tamil Nadu, there is a wealth of such regional products. With their authenticity and uniqueness now preserved, here are four GI-tagged treasures from Tamil Nadu that you should know about.Kancheepuram Silk - HandicraftOne of the most famous GI-tagged handicrafts of Tamil Nadu, the Kancheepuram silk is a coveted GI-tagged product from the state. Often hailed as the "Queen of Silks," this type of silk comes from the town of Kancheepuram, located around 70 kilometres from Chennai. Kancheepuram is renowned for its exquisite silk-weaving tradition that dates back centuries ago, producing vibrant saris. Kancheepuram silk is distinguishable by its beautiful colours, intricate designs, and rich textures, which make it sought after for weddings, religious ceremonies, and festivals. A bride's trousseau is considered incomplete without a Kancheepuram saree.The stunning saris come from weaving pure mulberry silk and zari (gold or silver thread). The weaving process requires the utmost precision and skill, and weavers incorporate traditional motifs such as peacocks, lotus flowers, and temple designs, which reflect the state's ancient art and also take inspiration from Raja Ravi Varma's paintings and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. You will find the wide contrast borders as the tell for these saris. If you visit Madurai or Chennai, getting your hands on a luscious Kancheepuram silk saree should be a must. Manapparai Murukku - FoodIf you love savouring regional snacks from around India, chances are you already know about the appeal of murukku. Originating from the town of Manapparai in the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu, the crunchy snack resembling concentric circles is a favourite tea-time accompaniment for many. The dough is made from a mix of rice flour, urad dal (black gram), cumin, sesame, and other spices and is then shaped into small spiral or circular pieces and deep-fried to a golden crisp.These deep-fried delights are often served during family gatherings and festivals and can be purchased from various local markets in the town of Manapparai, as well as in major cities like Chennai and Madurai. The GI tag for Manapparai Murukku not only protects the authenticity of this snack but also promotes the region's culinary heritage.Madurai Malli (Jasmine) - AgriculturalMadurai is famed for a special variety of jasmine flowers called Madurai Malli, which are revered for their alluring fragrance and beauty. In the largely pilgrimage town of Madurai, jasmine cultivation is a way of life intertwined with ancient and contemporary culture. Although you will find many varieties of jasmine flowers all across Tamil Nadu, the Madurai Malli can be singled out by its strong fragrance and thicker petals that retain more moisture than other varieties and can stay fresh and dewey for up to two days. In 2013, this beloved variety of jasmine received a GI-tag due to the significant efforts of agriculturists and activists, which now protects it by law and preserves its quality. The Madurai Malli is used in the temples to adorn statues of deities and as part of temple rituals. You will also find vendors on the streets selling fragrant garlands made from these flowers. It also features in Tamil bridal adornments as part of traditional hair accessories. Chettinad Kottan - HandicraftThe traditional basket-weaving craft from the Chettinad region is another one of Tamil Nadu's GI-tagged treasures. The beautifully handwoven baskets are made from palm leaves and are used for many different purposes, such as carrying fruits, grains and other items. The palm leaves are harvested once a year and then stored, after which the women weavers split the leaves into strips using a splicer. After the leaves are spliced, they are ready to be processed. Using the dip-dyeing method, the artisans create two-coloured strips, and after they are dried and the colours have been corrected, they are woven by blending the different coloured strips.Although made for utility purposes, the intricate patterns and design details, with many weavers using bright colours, make it an artistic creation as well that you can very well use as a decorative item. This was the traditional craft of the Chettiar community and was primarily a hobby of the women. The Chettiars, also known as Nakarathars or Nattukottai Chettiars, resided in the region of Chettinad, located in the southernmost part of Tamil Nadu. This area, once part of the ancient Pandya Kingdom, comprises 96 villages established by the Chettiars about 80 km west of Madurai and south of Thanjavur.Kottans were originally used for packaging and as containers for gifts and offerings during weddings, agreements, and sacred rituals. They often contained Vetrilaipakku (betel leaves and areca nuts) and were presented to friends and relatives as an unspoken invitation to ceremonies. Making these colourful baskets was a beloved pastime among Chettiar women, particularly the achis (elder women). The achis, highly skilled in the craft, would gather in courtyards, crafting Kottans while gossiping. Today, these traditional baskets can still be found in antique shops in Karaikudi.

Exploring Tamil Nadu's GI-Tag Products: Part 1

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