Patna, June 13: Three traditional products from Bihar have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. These include the famed Bawan Buti from Nalanda, Pattharkatti from Gaya, and Pidhia painting from Bhojpur. This achievement is celebrated as a point of pride for the artisans, weavers, and rural producer communities of the state.
A statement from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) highlighted that this milestone is a result of the joint efforts of NABARD and the Bihar government. The GI tag provides legal protection to the uniqueness, quality, and geographical identity of these products.
Bawan Buti from Nalanda is a unique example of Bihar’s ancient weaving tradition. This distinctive textile art features 52 types of traditional Buddhist and cultural motifs (butis) woven by hand on looms. The craft has primarily developed in Baswan Bigaha and surrounding areas, where generations of weaving families have preserved this tradition.
Similarly, the stone craft of Pattharkatti village in Gaya has been renowned for its excellence for nearly 300 years. Artisans here create sculptures of Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavir, deities, and other artistic figures using local black granite stones.
It is also believed that the granite stones from this region were used in the construction of the Vishnupad Temple. Meanwhile, Pidhia painting from Bhojpur is a distinctive style of folk art, primarily created by women during traditional festivals and social occasions.
This art vividly depicts rural life, family relationships, religious beliefs, and village culture using natural colors and traditional symbols. This recognition is expected to empower initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’
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