GI Tags Indigenous to Jammu and Kashmir
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GItag, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. These assets link products to local heritage and reflect the culture and back story of a particular item. It helps to promote and protect unique product, enhance their marketability by preventing misappropriation, and encourage sustainable production practices. The Geographical Indication (GI) Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry issues this tag to various local items in different states. Out of the total 605 tags given in entire country so far,16 stand with Jammu & Kashmir. The GI tag ranges in various goods which include agricultural goods, handicrafts, food items and manufactured goods.
Out of the 16 tags which withhold with Jammu & Kashmir four lie in the category of agricultural goods which includes the world-famous “Kashmiri Saffron” whose best strands belong to the Pampore in Pulwama district of Srinagar and cost up to lakhs per kilogram due to being one of the most expensive spice and cash crop. The “MushqbudjiRice” is another agricultural produce with the tag which is indigenous to the Kokernag region of South Kashmir and is well famous for its sweet aroma and taste. The “Bhaderwah Rajmash”, also known as red kidney beans, is a staple food and cultural symbol of the Chenab Valley,is mainly grown in the Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts of the Jammu province. The last item in the list of agricultural goods is the “RambanAnardana”, also known as “Dhruni”,which is a dried pomegranate seed spice that comes from the Ramban district of Jammu province.
In the category of Handicrafts, the UT is most rich due its 10 tags being in the same category with the first being “Kashmiri Pashmina”, which is a world-famous produce from Kashmir region, obtained from the Changthangi goats, is used to make luxurious and exquisite shawls which are sold in large quantities all across the globe. The indigenous “Kani shawls” with the most artistic and well executed designs are also made in Kashmir especially across the Kanihama village of the Budgam district.Its intricate designs and vibrant color combinations is an art form that has been passed down through generations, and is often considered to be one of the most difficult and complex forms of weaving, thus helping this handicraft get a recognition. The other handicraft which has got the tag is “Kani Sozni” which is a technique of meticulously fine embroidery, layered to make the fabric look encrusted like a tapestry. What may look like monotones may actually have as many as 18 different coloured threads in the pattern, which clearly describes the minute detailing done in the process of doing the embroidery. The “Kashmir Paper Machie” another GI tagged item from Kashmir is a superlative artistic display which has its origin rooted in the 15th century. Its delicate and intricate designs are made using material made from the paper pulp, used to design beautiful decorative items such as boxes, vases, trays, wall arts and other related stuff with ornamentations of flowers, box patterns, jungle motifs and Kashmiri symbols like almonds and chinar. The other major artform is the “Walnut Wood Carving”, done on the furniture and art pieces made up of walnut tree’s wood which is hard and durable in nature with close grain and even texture, facilitating fine and detailed work.The craft, initially, was restricted to only grandiose palaces and houses and later advanced to a wide range of contemporary products. The Kashmir’s “KhatambandArt”is quite similar to tiles in a mosaic whose collection is a sophisticated display of medieval Islamic art in sumptuous geometric star-and-polygon patterns. It’s an intricate craft of combining hundreds of wooden slats of walnut, deodar or fir into interlocking polygonal patterns usually used as a ceiling art across the region. The other handicraft for which Kashmir is famous for is its “Kashmiri Hand Knotted Carpet” commonly known as “Kal Baffi” which are handwoven by tying knots and are primarily made using pure wool, pure silk and occasionally wool and silk blends. These are available in wide-ranging colors, designs and sizes not only displaying an amazing art form but also a spectacular display of craftsmanship. The last three handicrafts in the list belong to the Jammu province which includes the “Basholi Paintings”, the famous Pahari miniature style of painting known for its use of bright and bold colours and peculiar facial forms, from Kathua district. They portray perfect blend of themes from ancient Hindu mythology and folklore of the local hills. “The Rajouri Chikri woodcraft”, distinguished by its fine carving and workmanship, is a pride for the Rajouri district,which is prized for its light honey-colored softwood’s craft which is brought to life by painstaking carving and beautiful craftsmanship.” The Basholi Pashmina Products” are the last ones to be GI tagged in the category of handicraft and have a variety of hand-spun items known for extreme softness, fineness, insulating properties and extended life. The raw material for making the same is not ingenious to Basholi as the cashmere wool which is obtained from the Changthangi goat is native to Ladakh region as well as Mongolia from where the raw material comes to Basholi to get finished as fine shawls and clothing.
Two items in the range of food stuff too have GI identification which are native to Jammu province of the UT out of which the first is’’Ramban Sulai Honey’, which is a premium quality honey known for its taste across the globe. The bees in making of this honey feed on the nectar of Sulai grass grown in the Himalayan regions of Ramban and Doda. ‘’Kaladi’’ being the other prized food item is one of the famous dairy products indigenous to Udhampur district. It is a localities favorite cheese made from raw, full-fat milk that’s churned in an iron pot which is later dried from the outside yet remains moist from inside and as far as now has been on the taste buds of many due uniqueness in its flavour.
It is every state of our country giving us cultural and intellectual being, every corner teaching us a story and when we look at the concept of farsightedness in preservation of our culture it becomes our primary duty to preserve what we have got in our legacy and promote art to its each sense. There are many ways for the promotion of the same which does include GI tagging and labeling which is not just labeling the art form or culture to that sole place from where it derived from but also a direct promotion of the region which gave us that cultural being.
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