GI tag for Narasinghapettai nagaswaram

GI tag for Narasinghapettai nagaswaram

Part of: Prelims and GS I – Culture and GS-III GI Tags

Context: Nagaswaram made in Narasinghapettai in Thanjavur district has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Key takeaways 

• Nagaswaram is made of ‘acha maram’, a tree known for its sturdy features. 
• The front portion — ‘anusu’ or enhancer — is made of ‘vaagai’ wood. 
  • ‘Seevali’, the reed, is made from a type of grass that grows on the banks of the Cauvery and the Kollidam.
• It is a double reed wind instrument from South India . 
• It is used as a traditional classical instrument in Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• This instrument is “among the world’s loudest non-brass acoustic instruments”.
• It is a wind instrument partially similar to the North Indian shehnai but much longer, with a hardwood body and a large flaring bell made of wood or metal.
• In South Indian culture, it is considered to be very auspicious, and it is a key musical instrument played in almost all Hindu weddings and temples of the South Indian tradition.

What is GI tag? 

• It is an indication which is definite to a geographical territory.
• It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods.
• The goods need to be produced or processed or prepared in that region. 
• The product must have a special quality or reputation.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 provides registration and also protection of GI goods in India.
• The Geographical Indications Registry for India is located in Chennai.
• A registered GI tag prohibits a third party to use such products. 
• GI is a collective intellectual property right and is thus owned by all the producers within the defined GI territory. 
• Patents and trademarks are owned by an individual or a business entity.

News Source: TH