Five more products have joined Tamil Nadu’s long Geographical Indication (GI) list: The Chola-era fame Woraiyur cotton sarees, Thooyamalli rice known for its pearl and jasmine like shine, the bright-coloured wooden toys of Ambasamudram, Namakkal’s soapstone utensils and the country sugar of Kavindapadi. This takes the number of GI-tagged products in Tamil Nadu to 74. “Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation (Poompuhar) and the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board have made the initiatives along with NGOs and weavers societies to ensure that the geographical uniqueness of these products are duly recognised and gainfully exploited by the artisans and farmers,” says P Sanjai Gandhi, IPR attorney and the state’s nodal officer for GI products.Woraiyur cotton sareesThe department of handlooms and five weavers’ cooperative societies have come together to secure the GI tag for this product with Chola heritage.Woraiyur or Uraiyur in Trichy district was once the capital city of the Cholas. Located along River Cauvery, it was a bustling hub for textiles, spices, and gemstones, and patronised by Roman, Greek and European traders. Woraiyur cotton has been immortalised in Greek and Tamil literature for its fine quality.The sarees are distinguished by their thin borders with plain or minimal designs. They are known for their distinctive Korvai border — a continuous running pattern — block colour palettes, and geometric motifs. Their vibrant and unusual colour choices, such as deep hues of green, violet, vaadaamalli (makhmali) and baby brown copper, make them stand out in the saree market. These sarees vary in width from 47 inches to 50 inches.The border has different motifs, including geometrical shapes such as diamond mokku (strand of diamond shapes), muthu seer (pearl beads), vanki (armband or chevron) mokku and alternating red and zari thandavaalam (railway track) stripes on the thalaippu or pallu.The Devanga community, a traditionally skilled weaver group, has been the driving force behind the Woraiyur cotton sarees for generations. The unique mineral composition of water from the Cauvery enhances the absorption of dyes into the cotton yarn, giving the sarees their characteristic brilliance and durability.Thooyamalli riceThooyamalli is a native rice variety of Tamil Nadu. In Tamil, Thooyamalli means pure jasmine. The samba crop’s duration is 135-140 days, including the nursery period 30-35 days.The fermented Thooyamalli rice (neeragaram) tastes like tender coconut water. It is often referred to as ‘pearl rice’ due to its shiny nature and is regarded highly for its nutritional benefits.Thooyamalli rice is rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to a balanced diet. Its texture and taste make it suitable for a variety of dishes, including biriyani and pulao. Though it is grown in all districts of Tamil Nadu, now it is cultivated mostly in Kancheepuram.Ambasamudram choppu samaan (wooden toys)Ambasamudram Bharani Mara Varna Kadasal Artisans Welfare Association, facilitated by Poompuhar and others has got the GI rag for these brightly coloured wooden toys. Choppu samaan are small wooden toys mostly in the shape of kitchen utensils.Ambasamudram is the most mountainous of all the taluks in Tamil Nadu, with half its area composed of ghats and forests, including the famous Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.Making the lacquered wooden toys is an age-old tradition. Ambasamudram toys are known for their vibrant colour, smooth texture and simplicity of design. While children like the colours and the rounded contours of these toys, adults appreciate their safe, eco-friendly, non-toxic nature. Miniature wooden kitchen utensils (choppu saman) and spinning top (pambaram) are top sellers.Originally these toys were made from trees such as manjal kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba), teak and rosewood. Now, toy makers have shifted to rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). The quality is, however, retained through the carpenters’ dexterity and skill.Namakkal maakkal paathirangal (Namakkal stone utensils)Poompuhar, facilitated by MSME Technology Development Centre, has secured GI for Namakkal soapstone utensils called kalchatty. They also make lamps, kuzhipaniyaram mould, idols, incense and candle stands, paper weights, star-shaped lamps, dosa pans, toys and miniature household articles.These utensils are the preferred to cook food that involves use of tamarind and lime, as they are not affected by citrus or chemicals. They are, hence, ideal to store pickles, milk and curd without the threat of corrosion or poisoning.As the stoneware is strong and durable, the vessels can last for years without breaking even with minimal maintenance. Every Namakkal stoneware is hand-made and reflects the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisan.Kavindapadi nattu sarkaraiTN State Agricultural Marketing Board and Kavindapadi Country Sugar and Nattu Sarkarai Producers Association, facilitated by Nabard Madurai AgriBusiness Incubation Forum, have got the GI tag for this country sugar known for its sweetness and appealing golden-brown colour. Kavindapadi’s sugarcane fields are fed well by the Lower Bhavani canal. Kavindapadi appears like an island, surrounded by River Bhavani, Lower Bhavani canal, Thadapalli, Arakkan Fort canal, Odathurai pond and Ananthasagaram lake. This results in high levels of humidity, which is favourable for sugarcane. The hand-made nattu sakkarai is a healthy alternative to white sugar. About 500l of juice yields 100kg of sugar.Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesofindia.com
