Madhya Pradesh’s famous Gond paintings have received Geographical Indications (GI) tag.
A geographical Indication (GI) tag is a label placed on products that have a specific geographical origin and have traits or a reputation that stem from that origin. It is utilized in industrial products, foods, agricultural products, alcoholic beverages, and handicrafts. GI Tag ensures that no one other than the registered authorised user may use the popular product’s name.
Padma Shri awardee and well-known Gond artist Bhajju Shyam stated, “It’s a source of pride for us. People from tribal and Gond-dominated communities will now benefit directly from this.They tell us about nature, trees, plants, animals, moon, sun, river, drains, God and Goddesses, the Padma Shri awardee remarked of Gond paintings. The picture explains what foods are fed, how ploughs are formed, how the king used to fight, and how the powers of tantra mantra (Black magic) functioned.”
“The main source of Gond painting has been Dindori, it has been expanded from place to place in Dindori,” Dindori collector Vikas Mishra told ANI. Obtaining the GI tag indicates that the authority has agreed that the original source is the Dindori district.”
He went on to say that “some other people used to get them work and pay them as labour in the area, and now our authority would be developed in that.”
Notably, Patangarh village in Dindori district is one of these villages, with an artist in every house. Their work is well-known not just in the state, but also internationally.
A indigenous woman with physical disabilities Narbadiya Armo, a Khannat village resident, paints her lips. She has served as an inspiration and a symbol of strength for any woman who has found herself powerless. Narbadiya Armo’s paintings will get name-fame, identification, and a fair price after receiving the GI tag.
