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July 27, 2021

Summary: ‘Kannadipaya’ – Role of Geographical Indication in Brand-Making and Conservation’ by Raghu, A.V. and Viswanath, S.

Author: Intern - Kirtika Shukla

The subject commentary [https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/121/01/0019.pdf] focuses on the traditional bamboo art “Kannadipaya” and highlights the need to protect it from dying an otherwise inevitable natural death. In that, the commentary cautions against the extinction of the art form and proposes to use proper branding and geographical indications to protect it.

Origins and working of Kannadipaya:The commentary explains that for centuries, bamboo art has captured the imagination of artists and has been a special choice for artisans and craftsmen. In Kerala, there are certain communities in Kerala which, use a type of bamboo to weave what is called the Kannadipaya. Kannadipaya loosely translates from the local language as ‘mirror mat’. It has been named so due to its highly polished surface which shines like a mirror.

The ancient knowledge of this art form is present in the Urali, Mannan, and Muthuvan tribal communities of the Idukki district. The commentary explains that the uniqueness of Kannadipaya is because of its design, weaving method, type of bamboo used, and preference for the fourth peeling or sliver from the bamboo culm internode. This mat has an extremely polished surface, which is smooth and reflects light just like a mirror. These mats, apart from having a very unique design, are extremely flexible – so much so that a two-meter mat can be folded and put inside a culm of bamboo of diameter less than 10cm. Anecdotes indicate that earlier, such mats were used to be presented to kings and other state dignitaries on special occasions. This art of weaving is a traditionally inherited knowledge of these communities.

Danger of extinction: The commentary explains that besides weaving mats, these communities are engaged in various works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREG) scheme. The commentary explains that weaving does not prove to be a constant source of income for the artists. Further, the younger generation has not taken to the art due to its time-consuming and laborious nature. As such, the art is now in danger of extinction. There have been examples in the past where a traditional art form has died a natural death due to lack of documentation and conservation measures.

As such, the commentary calls for deployment of measures such as proper branding and geographical indication (GI) registration to protect the art form. It endorses the view that the GI registration will help prevent the misuse of traditional goods as well as augment financial gains to traditional weaving communities through marketing this unique product to other countries.

Disclaimer: Views, opinions, interpretations are solely those of the author, not of the firm (ALG India Law Offices LLP) nor reflective thereof. Author submissions are not checked for plagiarism or any other aspect before being posted.

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