Bhubaneswar: Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry – the national body for GI registrations has accorded GI tag to seven unique products of Odisha
The products are Dungaria Kondh Embroidered shawl, Idital paintings of Lanjia Soura tribe, Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal, Koraput’s Kala Jeera rice, Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney, Dhenkanal Magji and Odisha Khajuri Guda.
The registration certificate was issued in favour of the products after proper scrutiny and advertisement seeking objection. All these products are categorised under food, handicraft and agriculture and the GI applications were filed between 2020 and 2021.
Dungaria Kondh Embroidery Shawl are mostly crafted by women of this particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) who live in the Niyamgiri Hills of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in southern parts of Odisha for their own use and to present to guests as a mark of respect and affection. The off-white coarse cloth used as a raw material for Kapdaganda is procured from the Domb community, a local Scheduled Caste community, by bartering harvested crops. The motifs are embroidered on the cloth by a needle in three different coloured threads – green (symbolising fertile mountains and hills), yellow (sign of auspiciousness signifying peace, smile, togetherness, health and happiness) and red (symbol of blood, energy, power and revenge).
“The Dongaria Kondh Embroidered Shawl (Kapadaganda) from Rayagada district has received its official GI (Geographical Indication) status! Huge congratulations to the Niyamgiri Dongoria Kandho Weavers Association and the Advisor-Cum-Director for achieving the GI status for the Dongaria Kondh Embroidered Shawal,” the SC, ST Department said on X.
Your dedication to preserving and promoting this cultural gem is truly commendable.A special acknowledgment to the ST/SC Department also for its pivotal role in this accomplishment!, it said.
This beautiful traditional craft embodies the rich cultural heritage of the Niyamgiri Dongoria Kandho community. It reflects the skilled craftsmanship passed down through generations, the Department said.
Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal grown in the Kantilo area of Nayagarh, Kanteimundi Brinjals are a delicious vegetable with prickly thorns. Green in colour and round in shape, these brinjals are loaded with seeds. This brinjal variety is said to have originated in the Badabanapur and Ratnapur areas of Nayagarh. Grown in a sandy soil and known to have a unique taste among brinjal genotypes, Kanteimundi Brinjal has reportedly been grown in Odisha for at least a century.
The Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) had applied for the GI Tag for Kanteimundi Brinjals in 2021 on behalf of the Neelamadhab Krushi Sangathan at Banpur, Nayagarh district.
Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery, which is traditionally made by the Soura Tribe of the region. Working under the Odisha Rajya Talgur Samabaya Sangha (ORTSS), thousands of Soura Tribe members are engaged in producing this jaggery variety every year.
Purely organic and incredibly sweet, this date palm jaggery was put up for GI Tag status in 2020 by Dr P Karthigeyan, an IPR expert from the MSME Ministry of the Government of India.
Dhenkanal Magji is a very famous sweet prepared in the Dhenkanal district. Magji is a delicious treat made with buffalo milk cheese. This buffalo milk cheese and the addition of cardamoms make these white laddoos from Dhenkanal an outstanding confection from Odisha.
Reports suggest that the sweet has been around for over 100 years and even regional literature is packed with its praises. In December 2020, the Odisha University of Technology (OUAT) had submitted the applications seeking GI Tag status for Dhenkanal Magji.
In Mayurbhanj district, this Kai Chutney is predominantly made for its medicinal value, especially as a cure for viral fevers and pneumonia. The application for GI Tag status for Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney was also submitted by the OUAT on behalf of the Krishi Bigyan Kendra or Yashipur.
Kalajeera Rice is grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda and Mohuli areas. According to ancient text, Kalajeera rice improves memory and controls diabetes. It is believed to increase haemoglobin levels and the body metabolism. This fragrant grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent and sedative properties.