Sat Apr 12 18:06:40 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram Cotton and Rasipuram Silk Sarees Seek Prestigious GI Tag
**Chennai, April 12, 2025** – The renowned Kanchipuram cotton and Rasipuram silk sarees of Tamil Nadu have applied for Geographical Indication (GI) tags, a move aimed at protecting their unique craftsmanship and boosting their global recognition. The applications were filed with the Geographical Indications Registry, with assistance from the Handloom Export Promotion Council under India’s Ministry of Textiles.
The Kanchipuram cotton saree application, submitted by the Vadamanapakkam Sakthivel Murugan Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society, highlights the saree’s distinctive designs, high thread density (approximately 60 holes per 1.2 inches of warp), and use of motifs like rudraksham and vanki.
Meanwhile, the Rasipuram silk saree application was jointly filed by four cooperative societies. These sarees are known for their lightweight texture, durability, vibrant colours, and use of gopuram borders and floral or geometric motifs. Technical details reveal that they are woven on pit looms, with each saree requiring approximately 5,100 ends.
IPR Attorney P. Sanjai Gandhi, who has been instrumental in securing several GI tags for Tamil Nadu products, noted that around ten sarees from the state already possess GI tags, with several more applications pending. He emphasized that the GI tag will safeguard these traditional art forms and enhance their international market presence. With continued support from organizations like the Handloom Export Promotion Council, Tamil Nadu’s handloom industry is expected to flourish both domestically and globally.
First Piper 