Kutchi shawl likely to get GI tag

A Geographical Indication tag is on the cards for the colourful Kutchi shawls,woven with motifs by artisan communities for past several generations in Kutch district.

A Geographical Indication(GI) tag is on the cards for the colourful Kutchi shawls,woven with motifs by artisan communities for past several generations in Kutch district.

Claiming a 500-year-old history linked with the weaving of Kutchi shawls in Gujarat,the Kutch Weavers Association (KWA) has filed an application for grant of GI with the Registrar in Chennai.

The application for registration of Kutch shawls for GI has been accepted. It is now placed for comments from the public, Deputy Registrar (Trade Marks and GI),G L Verma,said over phone from Chennai.

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Worn in winters,the shawls made in acrylic wool are dyed and have one solid bright colour throughout without any tie-dye (Bandhani).

The weavers of shawl in Kutch claim a 500-year-old history in the region and are originally from Rajasthan. They are called Meghwal wankars (weavers), said Gabhu Magariya,a member of KWA.

There are currently 1,200 weavers who work in 210 villages of Kutch. Of them,800-900 practise the craft full time.

Around 2,400 women are engaged in preparatory and finishing processes,the GI application stated.

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The shawl is woven with traditional Kutchi motifs and is processesed on handlooms largely in Bhujodi,a village of Kutch, Magariya said adding that villages like Gambudi,Manukna,Bundra,Tukma also house communities of such shawl weavers.

The Kutchi shawls are sold in domestic markets and are exported as well to the US and Europe, he said.

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