Under Geographical Indication of Goods Registration and Protection Act.1999 Sanganeri hand block Textiles and Furnishings have been recognized to have a unique identity in manufacturing and in belonging to the area of Sanganer.Consequently sale of hand block or screen printed product from any other area as Sanganeri will be punishable under the law, thereby giving a new lease of life to the trade and some 1500 artisans and about 5000 families indirectly or directly dependent on block printing. As you can guess the ancient craft has been seeing lean times because of cheap products made by newer technology and cloth from other areas being sold as Sanganeri.
Other Rajasthani products to have received G.I are Kota Doria, Jaipur Blue Pottery, Jaipur Kathputli and Molela terracotta of Rajsamandh. If all goes as it should Bagru Hand Block Print should receive G.I soon.
I think Jaipuri Razai is another good candidate for G.I.
Sanganeri hand block printing is a craft honed over some 500 years around the town of Sanganer near Jaipur. Legend has it that the local water in which the textiles are washed give a unique texture to the colors of the finished cloth. Whatever the case may be once besotted with the print it is a life long affair.
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