Description

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Context

Kannadippaya unique tribal mirror mat made from reed bamboo in Kerala has become first tribal handicraft from state to receive GI tag empowering indigenous artisans & opening global markets.

Key Highlights

Aspect	Details
Product Name	Kannadippaya (literally means mirror mat)
Recognition	Received Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2025
Unique Feature	Reflective pattern; provides warmth in winter & cooling in summer
Material Used	Made from soft inner layers of reed bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii)
Alternate Bamboo Species	Also uses Ochlandra species (locally called Kareetta, Velleeta, Pereetta, Chitoora, Kanjoora)
Tribal Communities Involved	Crafted by Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, Kadar, Ulladan, Malayarayan & Hill Pulaya
Districts in Kerala	Primarily from Idukki, with presence in Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad
Associated Organisations	Unarvu Pattikavargha Vividodesha Sahakarana Sangam, Venmani Vanasree Bamboo Craft & Vanavibhava Shekarana Unit, Moolakkad
Historical Importance	Once offered to kings by tribal communities as a mark of honour & prestige
Key Supporters	Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) Scientists Shyam Visvanathan, A.V. Raghu
IPR Advocate	C.R. Elsy, former head of IPR Cell, Kerala Agricultural University
Challenges Identified	Lack of structured market for product Need for government support & promotion
Benefits of GI Tag	Ensures market protection Provides global visibility Empowers artisans as entrepreneurs
Eco-Cultural Significance	Promotes eco-friendly, sustainable handicrafts rooted in tribal culture
Milestone Year	Awarded during KFRI golden jubilee year marking a cultural & institutional achievement

Kannadippaya GI Tag

Feature	Description
Product Name	Kannadippaya (Mirror Mat)
Crafting Material	Soft inner layers of reed bamboo
Key Bamboo Species	Teinostachyum wightii (Njoonjileetta, Njoojoora, Ponneetta, Meieeta, Neytheetta)
Other Bamboo Used	Ochlandra sp. (Kareetta, Pereetta, Velleeta, Chitoora, Kanjoora)
Thermal Properties	Warm in winter, cool in summer
Communities Involved	Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, Kadar, Ulladan, Malayarayan, Hill Pulaya
Craft Regions	Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad (Kerala)
Historical Use	Offered to kings as symbol of honor
GI Tag Awarded To	Unarvu Pattikavargha Vividodesha Sahakarana Sangam & Vanasree Bamboo Craft & Vanavibhava Shekarana unit
Significance	First tribal handicraft from Kerala to receive GI tag
Facilitating Institution	Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI)
Year of GI Recognition	2025
Challenges	Lack of structured market, need for youth involvement

Recent GI Tags

Product	State	Category	Year	Remarks
Kannadippaya	Kerala	Tribal Handicraft	2025	First tribal craft from Kerala with GI
Kachai Lemon	Manipur	Horticultural Product	2024	High vitamin C content
Gamosa	Assam	Cultural Textile	2024	Symbol of Assamese identity
Kolhapuri Jaggery	Maharashtra	Agricultural Product	2025	Traditional jaggery from Western Ghats
Sitalpati Mats	West Bengal	Handicraft	2024	Made from Murta plants
Thanjavur Veenai	Tamil Nadu	Musical Instrument	2025	Carnatic music icon
Ladakh Apricot	Ladakh	Horticultural Product	2025	Sweet apricots, important for economy
Mizo Chilli	Mizoram	Spices	2025	Noted for pungency
Gucchi Mushroom	Jammu & Kashmir	Wild Edible Fungi	2024	Rare, premium variety
Pattachitra Painting	Odisha	Traditional Art	2025	Mythological themes

Major Tribal Handicrafts of India

Craft	State/Region	Tribe/Community	Material Used	Specialty
Kannadippaya	Kerala	Oorali, Muthuva, Mannan	Reed bamboo	Mirror like surface
Dokra Metal Craft	Chhattisgarh, Odisha	Gond, Dhokra	Non-ferrous metal (lost-wax)	Tribal deities, animals
Warli Painting	Maharashtra	Warli Tribe	Cow dung, mud, rice paste	Geometric motifs
Toda Embroidery	Tamil Nadu	Toda Tribe	Wool cloth	Red-&-black thread motifs
Pithora Painting	Gujarat, MP	Rathwa, Bhilala	Wall plaster, natural colors	Ritualistic mural painting
Cane & Bamboo Weaving	Nagaland, Assam	Ao, Konyak, Mising	Bamboo, cane	Furniture, containers
Bamboo Jewelry	Tripura	Reang, Tripuri	Bamboo strips	Ethnic fashion
Saora Art	Odisha	Saora Tribe	Earth pigments, walls	Mythical storytelling

Oorali Tribe

Aspect	Detail
Location	Idukki, Kerala
Language	Malayalam dialect
Occupation	Bamboo craft, agriculture
Craft Involvement	Kannadippaya weaving
Social Status	Scheduled Tribe
Cultural Traits	Tribal governance through Ooru Kootams, animistic rituals
GI Craft Role	Preserving traditional weaving techniques

Muthuva Community

Aspect	Description
Location	Idukki & Western Ghats of Kerala
Language	Tamil-Malayalam dialect
Cultural Practices	Rooted in nature worship, traditional medicine
Occupation	Shifting agriculture, bamboo craft
Role in GI Product	Weaving Kannadippaya
Social Classification	Scheduled Tribe
Challenges	Marginalisation, forest rights, market access

Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI)

Feature	Detail
Location	Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala
Established	1975
Parent Body	Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment (KSCSTE)
Focus Areas	Forest biodiversity, bamboo technology, sustainable forest management
GI Involvement	Technical support for GI tagging of Kannadippaya
Key Contributors	Dr. Shyam Visvanathan, Dr. A.V. Raghu
Other Achievements	Bamboo tech research, conservation of forest genetics
Outreach	Supports tribal entrepreneurship & skill development

For more such articles, please visit IAS GYAN

Sources:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss significance of Geographical Indication (GI) tags in preserving indigenous tribal crafts in India. In this context highlight cultural & economic implications of granting GI status to Kannadippaya.