GI Tag For Handmade Narasingapettai Nagaswaram

Table of Contents

The Narasingapettai Nagaswaram has earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag under ‘musical instruments of class 15’.
The unique feature of the nagaswaram is its production process – it is handmade in Narasingapettai village in Thanjavur, unlike the other machine-made ones

The application for the tag was filed on behalf of Thanjavur Musical Instruments Workers Co-operative Cottage Industrial Society Limited and facilitated by his team.
The GI registry has issued the registration certificate number 420 dated January 21, 2022. Originally the application was filed on January 31, 2014.
The artisans based at Narasinganpettai village, who inherited the skill of making these wooden instruments from their forefathers, are making them through a process requiring specialised skills.
The nagaswaram now being used by artists throughout is called ‘pari nagaswaram’, which is longer than the ‘thimiri’.

A major portion of the ‘Narasinghapettai nagaswaram’ is made from the Aacha (Hardwickia binata) tree and many a time the artisans use the wood from parts of old houses.
The artisans use drilling machines, besides carpentry tools, to make the nagaswarams that are played widely in functions like weddings and temple festivals.

About Narasingapettai Nadaswaram

Nagaswaram is a wind instrument made of wood and metal. The instrument has also been accorded a high status as a ‘Mangala Vadyam’ and is played in religious ceremonies, auspicious occasions, and classical concerts.
It is handmade in Narasingapettai village in Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, unlike the other machine-made ones.
The reeds are made from the leaves of a locally grown plant ‘naanal’ (a variety of bamboo).
The instrument has a cylindrical body that flares out into a bell shape at the bottom.
It is this form that provides the nagaswaram with its characteristic volume and captivating tone.
The length of the instrument is two and a half feet. It is a double-reed wind instrument with a large flaring bell.
The double-reeded instrument is made up of wood and has two parts – a conical tube and a metal bell.
Traditionally, nadaswarams are made with aacha maram ( Hardwickia binate , Indian Blackwood).
“But you can’t use fresh wood; it has to be at least 75-100 years old. Young wood will bend and bow. All this wood was once lintels and pillars of old houses.”
Sometimes, the instrument is also known as ‘nakaswaram’. It is believed that Lord Shiva gifted the instrument to the demon, Nagasuran. Furthermore, it has the shape of a snake, and nagas (meaning snakes) used this instrument, hence it came to be known as nagaswaram.
Made out of wood, the main centre where this instrument is carved or produced is Thanjavur.
The horn-like portion of Nagaswaram is known as ‘Olavi’ and the loudspeaker-like portion ‘anasu’. ‘Jeevali’ is played at one end of the horn.
It is through this ‘jeevali’ that air is blown. To make nagaswaram, the artisans use drilling machines, carpentry tools, and sometimes, woods from parts of old houses.

What is GI Tag?

According to World intelectual property organization ( WIPO), A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

GI Tags of Tamil Nadu

Handicraft

Salem Fabric
Toda Embroidery
Pattamadai Pai (Pattamadai Mats)
Kancheepuram silk
Bhavani Jamakkalam
Madurai Sungudi
Thanjavur painting
Swamimalai Bronze Icons
Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture
Arumbavur Wood Carvings
Thanjavur Art Plate (Logo)
Swamimalai Bronze Icons (Logo)
Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil (Logo)
Thanjavur Veenai (Tanjore Veena)
Thanjavur Art Plate
Temple decorations of Nagercoil
Arani Silk
Kovai Kora Cotton Saree
Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku (Nachiarkoil Lamp)
Salem Silk, known as Salem Venpattu

Manufactured

Coimbatore Wet Grinder
East India leather

Agricultural

Malabar Pepper
Eathomozhy Tall Coconut
Erode Manjal (Erode Turmeric)
Eucalyptus
Madurai Malli
Virupakshi banana
Kodaikanal Malai Poondu
Seeraga Samba Rice
Pattamadai Pai (“Pattamadai Mat”)
Serumalai Hill Banana

Food stuff

Chettinad Kottan
Palani Panchamirtham
Srivilliputtur Palkova
Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai
Kanniyakumari clove

Question:
Which was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag?
(a) Aranmula Kannadi
(b) Darjeeling Tea
(c) Katarni Rice
(d) Madhubani Paintings