Himachal’s Chamba metal crafts to get Geographical Indications tag
One of the most interesting crafts of Chamba District introduced by the Kashmiri artisans will be on the list of GI tag after the initiative taken by the district administration, the Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre, Shimla.
Once a source of livelihood for thousands, this intricate metal casting craft involving lost-wax method (cire perdue) technique has been waning fast with only few families left. After receiving the GI tag for metal crafts, it will be in favour of the craftsperson from the aspirational Chamba district to strengthen the socio-economic condition as many still earn their livelihood in this vocation.
Various art and craft societies have been registered by the district administration under a project called “Chambyal” which aims to bring the local crafts of the region into the mainstream economy.
According to Deputy Commissioner DC Rana, all departmental formalities have been completed to include metal crafts of Chamba on the list of GI tag under the GI Act, 1999, the matter had been referred to the Registrar of GI tag, Chennai, by HIMCOSTE in collaboration with the Chamba Metal Craft Society.
Earlier ‘Chamba Thal’ got a special recognition internationally among the metal craft products of the district. The exquisite metal craftwork of the district has been a priced memento presented to many dignitaries.
The metalwork made in Himachal Pradesh usually reflects a tradition of unique jewellery making prepared by expert metal-work designers. Apart from this, the Chamba district is also famous for other traditional artefacts, various musical instruments, gifts and souvenirs.
