The renowned Thanjavur Veena added another feather to its crown after it received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag formally on 25/05/2014. Though the tag was published in the GI Registry on December 4, 2012 itself, through a statutory notification, the government officially announced it in early 2013. And, after more than a year, the certificate confirming the GI status was handed over formally to the Thanjavur Musical Instruments Workers’ Cooperative Cottage Industrial Society Limited on 25/05/2014.
As per the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, goods having specific geographical origin and possessing “distinct qualities, reputation or characteristics essentially attributable to that place of origin” are given the GI tag. Such recognition would prevent misuse of its name/reputation.
Around 100 families from Viswakarma community residing in a small locality in Thanjavur city have been keeping the Veena-making art alive even after many of their people quit the profession. However, about 10 families are involved in the art in a full-fledged manner. The Veenas are made from matured jackfruit tree wood brought from Panruti in Cuddalore district. There are two types of Veenas – Ekantha Veena (made from a single piece of wood) and three-piece Veena (made from three pieces of jackfruit tree wood). The price of each instrument ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. Initially, the raw woods are transformed into the shape of Veena by some exclusively-talented carpenters.
The Thanjavur Musical Instruments Workers’ Industrial Cooperative Society Limited, which started in 1952 procures the instruments from its members and sells them in the market. But they too could not meet orders from other countries. The GI tag now allows them to sell the patented product across the world easily and also protect its sanctity.
It takes 20 days to 30 days to make a complete Veena. The orders for the instruments are plenty from the expert musicians and students. Likewise, the showrooms dealing with musical instruments also give them a lot of orders to these workers. However, for the hard work going into it, the income is meagre but the GI tag conferred has brought fresh hopes to the artisans.
