The handwoven Bhadohi carpet, at last, has bagged the Geographical Indication (GI), in September. It has now become a part of the group of other GI marked products like Pochampalli, Darjeeling tea and Banarasi silk and brocade.
The Bhadohi-Mirzapur belt is the largest carpet manufacturing centre of India. It exports carpets worth Rs 25 billion approximately to other nations of the world and employs about 3.2 million workers.
The All India Carpet Manufacturers Association (AICMA) is among the major applicants for GI certification. The Great Bhadohi Handicraft Society and the Office of Joint Director Industries are the other co-applicants for the GI recognition.
This cottage industry uses eco-friendly raw materials like silk, cotton and natural wool, which can be recycled. This carpet belt also supports the world's largest hand woven carpet sector.
The handwoven carpet helps in creating exclusive designs and colours. Most of the patterns used, in carpet making, have their own meanings. For instance, the circular pattern suggests perpetuity; the zigzag pattern signifies water and light.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India