Mandar, Jharkhand's folk musical instrument, awarded Geographical Indication status

Key facts

• Jharkhand's traditional folk musical instrument Mandar has been granted a Geographical Indication tag by the Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India, based in Chennai.
• The GI tag application for 'Mandar of Jharkhand' was filed on 24 September 2021.
• Traditional craftsmanship, use of locally sourced red clay, indigenous manufacturing techniques and the instrument's distinctive sound were cited as key features supporting the GI application.
• The GI recognition is expected to give products made by traditional Mandar artisans a distinct identity linked to Jharkhand and help expand their reach in domestic and international markets.
• 'Mandar Samrat' Manpuran Nayak described the GI recognition as a tribute to the ancestors and the soil of Jharkhand.