Bihar’s New GI Tags: Bawan Buti Saree, Patharkatti Stone Craft & Pidhiya Painting

Three traditional products of Bihar Bawan Buti Saree and Fabric, Patharkatti Stone Craft and Pidhiya Painting have recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

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About Bawan Buti Saree and Fabric (Nalanda)

• Bawan Buti is a unique handloom textile tradition of Bihar known for weaving symbolic motifs directly into the fabric.
• Origin: The craft is primarily practised in Baswan Bigha village and surrounding areas of Nalanda district.
• Key Features
• • Fifty-Two Traditional Motifs: The fabric incorporates 52 (Bawan) Buddhist, cultural and traditional motifs, giving the craft its distinctive identity.
  • Handloom-Based Weaving: The sarees and fabrics are produced using traditional handlooms, preserving centuries-old weaving techniques.
  • Cultural Heritage: The motifs depict themes associated with Buddhism, local traditions and the rich cultural heritage of Bihar.

About Patharkatti Stone Craft (Gaya)

• Patharkatti Stone Craft is a renowned stone-carving tradition famous for its intricate sculptures and artistic excellence.
• Origin: The craft originated in Patharkatti village of Gaya district and has flourished for nearly 300 years.
• Key Features
  • Black Granite Craftsmanship: Artisans create sculptures from locally available black granite stone known for its durability and fine texture.
  • Religious Sculptures: The craft is widely recognized for statues of Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira, Hindu deities and other artistic figures.
  • Historical Significance: Local tradition holds that granite from Patharkatti was used in the construction of the Vishnupad Temple, Gaya.

About Pidhiya Painting (Bhojpur)

• Pidhiya Painting is a traditional folk-art form that reflects the social and cultural life of rural Bihar.
• Origin: The art form is predominantly practised by women in the Bhojpur region of Bihar.
• Key Features
  • Festival-Based Tradition: The paintings are traditionally created during festivals, rituals and important social occasions.
  • Use of Natural Colours: Artists employ natural colours and traditional symbols to create vibrant visual narratives.
  • Depiction of Rural Life: The paintings portray family relationships, religious beliefs, folk traditions and everyday village life.

With the inclusion of these three products, Bihar’s total number of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products has officially risen to 16

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About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) is an intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical area possessing unique qualities or reputation.
• Provided By: GI registration in India is granted by the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Legal Basis: The GI framework is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force in 2003.
• Global Recognition: The GI system is recognized internationally under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
• Validity: A registered GI receives legal protection for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for successive ten-year periods.

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