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Tamil Nadu's Thirubuvanam silk sari gets GI tag

THANJAVUR: The Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India has given Geological Indication (GI) Tag to the traditional Thirubuvanam silk saris. The registry is likely to hand over the certificate on Wednesday.


Thirubuvanam silk saris, which are the traditional silk saris handwoven with an elaborate design using pure zari yarn has obtained the Geographical Indication or GI tag seen as a big win for the weavers.

Hereafter, they can claim the sole right over the fame of these saris.

Tamil Nadu has the distinction of at least one unique product from each district, giving the district a significant name. On these lines, silk saris which are woven by the weavers in Thirubuvanam – a small town located near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur-- is quite famous for rich in quality with fine counts of silk.

The speciality of Thirubuvanam silk sari is that filature silk is used for both warp and weft, resulting in high quality, uniform and high-lustre.

Silk is folded in the sari like and angavasthram. It is also known for intricate border and pallu designs are aesthetically embellished with fine zari. The wide borders in contrast colours with intricate motif patterns are very fascinating. The most popular motifs are influenced by temples, flowers, natural leaves, fruits, Maayilkan - the peacock's eye, Rudraksham- Rudraksha beads and birds like peacock and parrot.

On behalf of the Thirubuvanam Silk Handloom Weavers Cooperative Production and Sale Society Limited, the authorities applied for the GI tag on April 15, 2014, in respect of Textile and Textile Goods falling in class - 24 and 25.

After five years of scrutiny, the Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India has announced Geological Indication (GI) Tag for Thirubuvanam silk saris.

A total of five societies, including the production and sale society, is functioning in Thirubuvanam where more than 4,000 weavers are registered with the societies. All the weavers could benefit and enjoy the special status given to their product, managing director of Thirubuvanam Cholan Silk Handloom Weavers Cooperative Production and Sale Society K Mohan told TOI.


As per the rules, except the members of the cooperative society, no other weavers would any longer use the brand name or logo, said the president of the Intellectual Property Attorneys Association, P Sanjay Gandhi, who was instrumental for getting the GI tag.

Sanjay Gandhi has been working for getting the tag for unique products for a long time. He had already got GI tag and authorised user certificates for many products such as such as Thanjavur Art plate, Thanjavur Thalayatti Bommai, Natchiyarkoil brass lamps and Swamimalai bronze Icon manufacturers.

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