The Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh has now got special recognition for its unique painting method on the world stage. Gond painting has been found successful in the set standards of protection of intellectual property. With this, Gond painting has got Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This is a proof of the recognition received by the tribal painting of the state at the global level. Vanya Prakashan does the work of art literature compilation, publication and certification for the development, expansion and preservation of art related works under the Tribal Affairs Department. A proposal was sent by Vanya for GI tag to recognize the specialty and art beauty of Gond painting of the state. Gond painting has been awarded GI tag for being an ancient art asset and meeting all the standards.
With the receipt of GI tag, Gond painting has now been patented as the heritage of the state. With this, Gond paintings cannot be used as commercial and publication material without permission. After getting the GI tag, Vanya will provide an e-commerce platform to Gond painters by creating a website to sell their paintings. Gond artists holding authorized letters of Vanya will upload their paintings on this website. Buyers will place their order by choosing their choice. This order will reach Vanya and Vanya will inform the concerned Gond artist through courier service to provide the painting. On receiving the information, the Gond artist will supply the painting to the buyer through the same courier service. The buyer will pay for the painting to Vanya and Vanya will transfer the amount to the account of the concerned Gond artist.
In order to link traditional tribal handicrafts with livelihood, Vanya is taking steps to get GI tag for seven other tribal arts/products. In this, a proposal has been submitted with the necessary fee to the Textile Committee, Mumbai, an authorized institution of the Government of India, for the registration of the products. These tribal art/products include Pithora painting (Bhil painting- Jhabua and Alirajpur), woodcraft mask (Baiga tribe), tribal doll handicraft (Jhabua and Alirajpur), musical instrument Bana (Pardhan tribe- Dindori), musical instrument Chikara (Betul), handicraft Bolni (Jhabua and Alirajpur) and handicraft potmala- Galshanmala (Jhabua and Alirajpur) which were sent for GI tag. Textile Committee, Mumbai conducted research work related to these products for the GI tagging process. The applications sent have been submitted to GI Chennai.
