The Ministry of Culture is a partner Ministry at the two day Geographical Indication (Gi) Mahotsav being held in Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. .A day long curated program involving plenary sessions anchored around GI products of India, artistic displays with GI textiles and spices, participatory art modules, handicraft displays along with a cultural programme was organized for trainee officers by the Ministry of Culture on 4th March, 2021.
GI products given their uniqueness and linkages to different parts of India in effect hold the potential & power to represent the ‘best in class’ embodiment of Atmanirbhar India.
This special programme for the trainee officers of LBSNAA is meant to be an overview into the world of artisans, design and GI products. The sessions covered topics ranging from legal implications of GI, artistic & design collaborations with GI crafts and more, andwould witness participation from legal, academic and design luminaries such as M.S.
Bharath (Senior Partner – Anand and Anand), Dr Bessie Cecil (Head – Craft Education, Kalashetra), SharanApparo (Founder – Apparao Galleries), Poonam Bhagat (Designer – Taika)&Ishaan Khosla (Founder IKD). The session will be moderated by ShreyankaBasu, Communication and Content Expert, Ministry of Culture.
A mini exhibition of GI Textiles is on showcase coveringa wide range of saris connected to GI textile such as PatanPatola, Benaras Brocades, UppadaJamdani, Kalamkari, Paithani, Kota Doria, PochampallyIkat etc. and brings alive the exquisite weaving and design traditions of India
An art installation titled Sacred Spices is also on display conceptualized by NID alumnus, artist and sculptor Shirley Bhatnagar. This art work brings to attention- Haldi, Tejpatta, ByadgiChilli and Basmati rice-some daily ingredients that have been part of Sacred Indian culinary space for a long time and now have been awarded the GI tag, thus bringing to global attention to the quintessential traditional Indian knowledge.
The artisan corner showcasesKangra Paintings by master artist Dhani Ram from Himachal Pradesh, Phulkari embroidery by Seema Rani from Punjab and Bilal Mohammad’s Bagh printing work from Madhya Pradesh all of whom are GI registered artists.
The evening of 4th March, saw a choreographed presentation involving various dance forms ,75 artists connected to some of the regions that have GI product linkages across India such as Purulia Chau (West Bengal), KinnauriNati (Himachal Pradesh), Rathwa Dance (Gujarat), Kashmiri Rouff Dance (Kashmir), BrijRas/ Barsanakiholi (Uttar Pradesh). The entire function is being coordinated by the North Zone Cultural Center, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
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