Majuli's Traditional Crafts Honored with GI Tags
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Majuli receives two Geographical Indication (GI) tags |
| Location | Majuli, the world's largest river island |
| Products Tagged | Majuli mask making and Majuli manuscript painting |
| Purpose of GI Tag | To identify products with unique qualities from a specific geographical region |
| Majuli Mask Making | - Originated in the 16th century |
| - Used in traditional bhaonas of the neo-Vaishnavite tradition | |
| - Depict gods, goddesses, demons, animals, and birds | |
| - Made from bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, and wood | |
| - Promoted beyond traditional use; efforts to modernize | |
| Majuli Manuscript Painting | - Originated in the 16th century |
| - Done on sanchi pat (bark of the agar tree) using homemade ink | |
| - Earliest example: rendering of the Bhagwat Purana by Srimanta Sankardev | |
| - Patronized by the Ahom kings | |
| - Practised in sattras (monasteries) of Majuli | |
| Significance | Promotes and preserves traditional crafts integral to neo-Vaishnavite culture of Assam |