GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI) TAGS OF CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh is a heavily forested state situated in Central India bordered by Uttar Pradesh in the north, Madhya Pradesh in the northwest, Maharashtra in the southwest, Jharkhand in the northeast, Odisha in the east, and Telangana and Andhra in the south. Being the ninth largest state and the seventeenth most populated state in the country, Chhattisgarh is popular for its temples and waterfalls, namely, the red-brick Lakshmana (Laxman) Temple and the colossal Chitrakoot Fall. Till date, Chhattisgarh has received 6 Geographical Indication (GI) Tags, 5 being handicraft products and one being agricultural product.

Jeeraphool is an agricultural product, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Jaivik Krishi Utpadak Sahkari Samiti Maryadit on 15^th February, 2018 and the product was certified on 14^th March, 2019. The Application Details of “Jeeraphool” are mentioned below-

Application Details

Jeeraphool, also known as ‘oryza sativa’, is an ancient rice variety of Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh state which has a special quality and its quality characteristics are based upon the unique production technique and the geographical condition. It is aromatic and very soft rice and very fine short slender variety identical to cumin; also originally cultivated as per their traditions and supplemented by comparative ideology in specially prepared paddy fields of Sarguja bottom hills low lying areas with extra care to maintain its purity. Jeeraphool originates and confines to Northern Hills of Chhattisgarh (i.e. Sarguja district) whose cropping situation and weather conditions contribute greatly to its high aroma with softness in cooking and other quality attributes.

Jeeraphool Rice is an indigenous aromatic short grain cereal plant of Chhattisgarh and is resistant to various diseases and pests. It is widely used in food items such as Kheer and Pulao and imparts a unique taste after cooking. The applicants seek to secure the identity and uniqueness of this ancient aromatic rice variety since it is becoming extinct and it is very likely that modern day cultivation and other vested interests could expropriate this rice variety with its quality value genetically.

Bastar Dhokra is a handicraft product, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Chhattisgarh Hastshilp Vikas Board on 12^th March, 2007 and the product was certified on 22^nd April, 2008. The Application Details of ‘Bastar Dhokra’ are mentioned below-

 Application Details

Dhokra products are cast in bell metal by lost was process and display an intriguing finish having bell metal wire work. Dhokra products consists an alloy of bronze, brass, nickel, and zinc. The minimum to maximum size varies from 1” (inch) to 14’ (feet). The products consist mainly of show case and utility items. The designs mainly involve intricate handwork of drawing and arranging of the bell metal wires. Mostly the products depict tribal culture, people and their tools, instruments, animals, and nature. The Dhokra art is a major attraction of Bastar. They are prepared by the Ghadawa community and hence it is also known as the Ghadawa art. The Ghadawas are small artisan groups who produce brass or bell metal objects. The name Ghadawa is derived from the word “Ghalna”, which means to melt and as these people prepare the craft items by melting the metal using a lost wax technique, so they are given the name “Ghadwa” which literally means the act of shaping and creating. Black soil, Rice husk, river side soil, cow dung, red soil, was (namely Bee Wax and Paraffin wax) etc. are the raw materials needed for the production of Bastar Dhokra also the entire process of production is broadly divided into five major parts namely, modeling, moulding, dewaxing, casting, and finishing.

Bastar Dhokra craft has its very foundation laid in the religious beliefs and practices of the people as they make idols of deities, and puja accessories like bells, oil lamps, and incense stick holders, etc. Wax is an important one element of it as it gives special uniqueness to the crafts. Its use produces unique softness and malleability. It can be drawn out in wires of required diameters and can be moulded into desired shapes. Thus, the unique 12 stage process of Dhokra making is the original creative instinct of the craft persons. Bastar soil is very unique for the product. The motif popularly used is ‘Makdi’ and fruits and seed designs are used. The common products produced are Devi and Devitha which have traditional jewellery intricacy work. Trumphet design is a specially used design. Thread work is very common and also the finger print is very much visible. The artisans design the products without any support of sketch, but by imagination.

Bastar Wooden Craft is a handicraft product, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Chhattisgarh Hastshilp Vikas Board on 12^th March, 2007 and the product was certified on 22^nd April, 2008. The Application Details of ‘Bastar Wooden Craft’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

Due to abundant forest resources in the Chhattisgarh state, there is huge supply of raw material (wood) to the craftsmen. They are full of Sal, Teak, and other variety of wood in these areas. Other varieties are namely, Sagon (Teak wood), Seona, Sheshm, Bija, Halder, Saja, Dhawra, Mahua, Tendu, Amla, Karra, and Bamboo. The wooden crafts are most famous, beautiful, and unique art of wooden carving of Bastar tribal. The products are idols, wall panels, furniture items, etc. among the furniture items Deewan (cot with box) is very famous and attractive since it involves the art of carving with different pictures of Bastar culture and other designs of interest. The cost of the wood varies from Rs. 500- Rs. 3000 per cubic feet. The products are available from minimum size of 2” (inch) to maximum size 5’ (feet). The products are used for decorative purpose, utility purpose, building interior, wall panel and furniture items etc.

Some of the unique features of Bastar Wood Craft which differentiates its art from rest of the world are as follows-

• Depicts local mythology and culture
• Rawness in finishing
• Uneven shapes and geometry
• Tribal motifs
• Self-made tools
• Use of teak wood

Bastar Iron Craft is a handicraft product, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Chhattisgarh Hastshilp Vikas Board on 12^th March, 2007, and the product was certified on 10^th July, 2008. The Application Details of ‘Bastar Iron Craft’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

The metal images of Bastar are peerless not only for the technique of casting, but also for their earthbound expression of life and celebration. Abundance of nature and folk, cultural traditions together form the unique inherent basic fabric of tribal heritage of Bastar. Folk art, craft, and nature constitute the foundation of the tribal society of Bastar. Bastar Iron Craft reflects vibrant creativity, inventive genius and imagination of the craftsmen, who have tried to retain the original perception and core concept governing the lifestyle of their ethos.

Champa Silk Saree and Fabrics is a handicraft product, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Champa Raigarh Hathkargha Kosa Bunkar Kalyan Samiti on 25^th May, 2009, and the product was certified on 4^th October, 2010. The Application Details of ‘Champa Silk Saree and Fabrics’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

Champa Silk Saree and Fabrics also known as ‘Kosa Silk Saree’ are valued for its purity and is considered to be auspicious for marriages, religious celebrations and other important social functions. Traditional tribal designs, temple motifs and religious and spiritual motifs, scene of the forest in the weaving process, festivals, animal and birds motifs and local flora and fauna motifs are very much shown in the weaving and painting in Kosa silk products. During the weaving of Kosa silk, it gives the appearance of Sagaun tree due to the brownish color of the silk. The weaving style and natural silk plays the vital role for this allusion. The threads which come from Rally cocoons are generally black in color while others are yellowish or creamish. The designs are prepared with the dexterous process of Doby system and there is also no use of jackquard. In the doby system of weaving, only the traditional instruments are used namely wooden looms, shuttles of buffalo bones and the asari, etc.

Bastar Dhokra (Logo) is a handicraft product, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Chhattisgarh Hastshilp Vikas Board on 5^th November, 2012, and the product was certified on 3^rd February, 2014. The Application Details of ‘Bastar Dhokra (Logo)’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

The specification, description and uniqueness of the product are same as that of ‘Bastar Dhokra’ as mentioned above.

GI Tags of Chhattisgarh are-

Handicraft Products:

1. Bastar Dhokra [here]
2. Bastar Wooden Craft [here]
3. Bastar Iron Craft [here]
4. Champa Silk Sarees and Fabrics [here]
5. Bastar Dhokra (Logo) [here]

Agricultural Products:

1. Jeeraphool [here]