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What is GI ?

A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation by virtue of their geographical association. Such a tag conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the geographical origin of the product. The owner of the GI tag has exclusive rights over the product and can sue others for trying to duplicate the product.

List of products in Tamil Nadu which has GI tag:

1. Salem Fabric

Saree made out of silk yarn and a cotton yarn & designed by using superior grade fabrics and advanced machinery got in 2005-06. The first product to get the GI tag in Tamil Nadu.

2. Kanjeevaram Silk and Saree

Sarees are characterized by gold dipped silver thread that is woven on the premium quality silk, should have 40 per cent silver and 0.5 per cent gold in zari, got in 2005-06.

3. Bhavani Jamakkalam

Blanket and Carpet weaved by the community of weavers in Bhavani called Jangamars using coloured coarse threads called Jamakkalam, got in 2005-06.

4. Madurai Sungudi (Fabric)

Cotton Fabric produced using tie and natural dyes method by the Saurashtrians who migrated to Madurai under the patronage of King Thirumalai Naicker in the 17th century, got in 2005-06.

5. Coimbatore Wet Grinder

Wet grinders manufactured in Coimbatore district, got in 2005-06.

6. Thanjavur Paintings

Panel paintings done on wooden planks distinguished by its famous gold coatings, got in 2007-08.

7. Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil

Traditional jewellery made of the finest gold embedded with several precious gems and stones. Peculiar red and green stone called ‘Kuchu kal’ are used for making the jewellery, Authentic ones are mostly used by classical dancers, got in 2007-08.

8. Thanjavur Art Plate

Circular plate made as a gift item consisting of metals such as silver, bronze, and copper embossed with figures of gods at its center, got in 2007-08

9. EI Leather or East India Leather

Indian vegetable tanned leather produced in Tanneries of Trichy and Dindigul districts got in 2007-08.

10. Salem Venpattu (White Silk)

Salem’s unique brand of white silk clothing, known as venpattu, got in 2007-08.

11. Kovai Cora Cotton Saree

A superior quality cotton yarn is mixed with traditional silk to produce kora cotton made in Coimbatore district. The sarees have bright colored border designs with occasional use of shining zari, got in 2007-08.

12. Arani Silk Saree

Arni silk saree is traditional sari made in Arani, Thiruvannamalai district and is known for its softness and durability, got in 2007-08.

13. Swamimalai Bronze Icons

Swamimalai Bronze Icons refers to bronze idols and statues manufactured in Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam, got in 2008-09

14. Eathomozhy Tall Coconut

Only Coconut variety that has a GI tag, it grows in Eathomozhy near Rajakamangalam in Kanayakumari district. Grows to a height of 30 m and lives for a period over 80 to 100 years, got in 2008-09

15. Thanjavur Doll

Indian bobblehead or roly-poly handmade toy made of terracotta material, finished with detailed, painted exteriors, got in 2008-09.

16. Nilgiri (Orthodox) Tea

Arch Diens tea described as being a dark, intensely aromatic, fragrant and flavoured tea grown in the hills of the Nilgiris district, got in 2008-09.

17. Virupakshi Hill Banana

Commonly known as Hill banana grown exclusively in the Lower Palani Hills, is one of the elite clones known for its special flavor, taste and keeping quality and considered as the heritage banana of Tamil Nadu, got in 2008-09.

18. Sirumalai Hill Banana

Small to medium-sized banana grown in Sirumalai hills in Dindigul district, after ripened they are bright yellow in color with a greenish tinge at the end of the stem and considered as the heritage banana of Tamil Nadu, got in 2008-09.

19. Madurai Malli

Jasmine flower known for its heady fragrance cultivated in the districts of Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Dindigul and Sivaganga. Has deep fragrance, thick petals, lengthiest petiole and delayed opening of buds, ensuring longer shelf-life of the flower, got in 2012-13.

20. Pattamadai Pai (Mat)

Mat is made up of Korai grass, weaving done in Pathamadai,Tirunelveli district, Specially for wedding ceremonies and have bride’s and groom’s names as well as the wedding date woven in it, got in 2012-13.

21. Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku (Lamp)

Also called Annam lamp is an ornamental brass lamp made of series of diyas, a handicraft product which is exclusively made by Pather (Kammalar) community in Nachiyar Koil town near Kumbakonam, got in 2012-13.

22. Chettinad Kottan (Basket)

Traditional palmyra leaf baskets of Chettinad region, Sivagangai district, originally used for packaging and as a container for giving gifts and offerings at family functions and rituals, got in 2012-13.

23. Toda Embroidery

Locally known as “pukhoor”, is an art work done by Toda pastoral people of Nilgiris, made exclusively by their women. The embroidery is made with use of red and black threads with a white cotton cloth background. Men and women adorn themselves with the embroidered cloaks and shawls, got in 2012-13.

24. Thanjavur Veenai

Veenai is considered as the queen of Indian musical instruments, Jackfruit trees are used for making Veenai, which was grown for more than hundred years. The trunk of this tree does not grow big just like other trees.T he making of resonator by chipping away the lump of wood to make a round, smooth surface takes about five days. Making the inside of the foot-high kudam will take another week’s time. It has then covered by a palakai (thin wooden plate), got in 2012-13.

25. Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture

Monuments built during the Pallava dynasty in Mamallapuram. Known as the Seven Pagodas in many colonial-era publications. It is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site, GI tag got in 2017-18.

26. Erode Manjal (Turmeric)

Tturmeric where both finger and bulb are obtained from the Erode local cultivar. The parameters of the Erode turmeric includes 2.5 to 4.5% of curcumin content, a golden yellow colour and resistence to pests after boiling, got in 2018-19.

27. Thirubuvanam Silk Sarees

Saree produced with usage of high quality mulberry filature silk yarns in a Thirubhuvam. The silk saree is folded like an Angavastram, and this fan fold is called as “visiri madippu” in Tamil, got in 2018-19.

28. Kodaikanal Malai Poondu (Hill Garlic)

Garlic grown in the Kodaikanal Hills, Dindugul district, known for its medicinal properties, increased shelf life with its extrodinary odour and pungent taste. It has higher amount of organosulfur compounds, phenols and flavonoids compared to other garlic varieties, got in 2019-20.

29. Palani Panchamirtham

Given as ‘prasadam’ at the Palani Murugan temple, The panchamirtham is a combination of five natural substances — banana, jaggery, cow ghee, honey and cardamom. Dates and diamond sugar candies are added for flavour, got in 2019-20.

30. Dindigul Locks

The quality and durability of the Dindigul locks separate them from the others. started by Sankaralingachari Brothers. Locks are manufactured by skilled locksmiths residing in villages around Dindigul town, the abundance of iron in this region is the reason for the growth of the lock-making industry, got in 2019-20.

31. Kandangi Saree

The cotton sarees are made by the weavers of Devanga Chettiars for women of the Chettiar Community in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district. The sarees are characterised by the large contrast borders, and some of them are known to have borders covering as much as two-thirds of the saree, got in 2019-20.

32. Srivilliputtur Palkova

Sweet made using milk only from cows reared in and around Srivilliputtur, Virudhungar district, the milk is naturally sweet and hence, only a small amount of sugar is added for making the sweet, got in 2019-20.

33. Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai

Candy made of peanuts held together with glistening syrup, and topped with wisps of grated coconut dyed pink, green and yellow. In Kovilpatti, it is sold as single rectangular chunks, or rather cuboids, sealed in packets. It is made using all natural ingredients such as the traditional and special ‘vellam’ (jaggery) and groundnuts and water from the river Thamirabarani is used in the production, which enhances the taste naturally and has a long shelf life, got in 2020.

*This post was originally published at Tamilnadu Weatherman Facebook Posts