Hallmark of Tradition

Tag of Authenticity

Who can resist the glamour of a Paithani silk sari, the sweetness of the Malihabadi Dussehri mango, the golden glow of a Thanjavur painting or doubt the quality of the Tirupati laddu? All these items are closely associated with their place of origin and therein lies the mark of their authenticity.

When a region is famous for a par ticular product, the locals take utmost care to maintain its reputation, so that its value remains for generations to come. The name of the place is a stamp of quality on the product. Hence, you may find visitors to Lucknow picking up a few Lucknowi chikan kur tas or those visiting Mahabaleshwar, buying packs of strawberries.

In 2003, the Indian government put into effect the Geographical Indications of Goods Act (1999) to protect this strong link between a place and its product. Geographical Indication is a tag used to identify a natural, manufactured or an agricultural FYI product originating from a particular region. It implies that the said product has a distinct taste and quality that sets it apart from similar products produced elsewhere.

Shades of Silk

Few countries can rival the rich textile heritage of India. Almost every state boasts of a local textile tradition that sets it apart from other fabrics in the country.

An Indian bridal trousseau is incomplete without a Banarasi brocade sari. The characteristic silver and gold zari work on luxurious silk is one of the most recognizable products of India. With the GI tag, saris woven in only six districts around Varanasi can be sold as Banarasi saris.

Muga silk, with its distinct golden hue and traditional motifs, is exclusively woven in Assam.

The sheer beauty and jewel-like buttis (motifs) of Chanderi silk saris of Madhya Pradesh made them a favourite with royalty. Created by the weavers of Chanderi town near Gwalior, it was among the first silk fabrics to be given the GI tag.

Crafted out of heavy silk by the weavers of Kanchipuram, i n Tamil Nadu, t he br i ght l y coloured Kanjeevaram sari is the queen of all Indian silks. The weavers incorporate traditional designs like temples, peacocks, swans, flowers, etc. into the body, pallu and thick zari border, which are made separately before being stitched up tightly.