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The Uttar Pradesh state government has filed Geographical Indication (GI) applications for five products originating from its state. The application is filed under the Geographical Indication Act, 1999. The applications are filed for Ferozabad glassware, Kannauj perfume, Kanpur saddlery, Saharanpur woodwork and Moradabad metal craft.
Ferozabad glass ware has an ancient history to be traced back to the reign of King Akbar. During ancient periods, invaders brought many glass articles to India. The rejected glass articles were collected and melted in locally made furnace called as "Bhainsa Bhatti.". This industry was started with manufacture of bangles and small bottles. The speciality of these bangles is that there are no joints in these bangles. These bangles were called "Kadechhal Ki Chudi". Today all sorts of glass articles, including jars, candle stands; glasses, flower vases, and electric wares such as decorative lights, bulbs and every other sort of glass articles are prepared.
Kannauj perfume (known as “attar”) also has its history to date back to Mughal period. Kannauj has been known for natural attars from the Mugal period or even earlier when aroma bearing substances like Sandal, Musk, Camphor, Saffron were used as such and the range of such materials and essential oils were further enriched during the Mugal period, when new plants were brought by the Mugals from Central Asia to this country. This lead to the discovery and development of process for the preparation of attar from Roses by Noorjahan, the Mugal queen. this was the beginning of the natural attars in India, which developed and progressed in and around Kannauj and is quite strong even now . Kanauj is called the perfume capital of India. Even today the traditional Deg-Bhapka method is used in the preparation of the perfumes. Today Kanauj perfume industry is a huge industry which adds to the revenue of the Uttar Pradesh government.
Kanpur saddler is yet another important item produced in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, the Saddler Factory was started in 1860 to supply the army with leather products during the first war of Independence. Today, Kanpur is an international market for saddler.
Saharanpur woodwork and Mordabad metal craft are the other two handicrafts which the state government is keen on Geographical Indication protection. Sharanpur is internationally famous for its wood carving work. Backed with a working force of 20,000 workers, goods worth about Rs 10 to 12 crores are produced in Saharanpur. There are about 300 units currently operating in Saharanpur, out of which nearly 50 are partially mechanized.
The metal craft tradition of Moradabad goes back more than five centuries. The town produces stunning artifacts that that have carved a niche in high end stores as Harrods and Selfridges. Brassware items cover a wide range and include vases, brass lamps, perforated lamps, tabletops, fruit bowls, planters, jewellery boxes, brass plate, brass knobs and picture frames. There are embellished with various kinds of engraved motifs - flowers, landscapes, jungle scenes and geometric patterns.
Earlier to this, five items from specific regions of Uttar Pradesh had been registered under GI Act, which include Allahabad’s surkha guava; Lucknow’s Chikan craft; Banaras’ brocades and sarees; Malihabadi’s mango; and handmade carpets of Bhadohi which also was an indirect initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government.
Considering the benefits that the GI registration can accord to the producers, the initiative of the state government to encourage GI registrations for its products is certainly praise worthy.
References:
Authored by Ms. Sharada Kalamadi.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
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