Pattamadai mats likely to get GI mark soon

A woman weaving mat at Paththamadai in Tirunelveli district.

In line of Tirupathi laddu and Kanchipuram silk saris, the famous mats — Pattamadai pai from Tirunelveli district and traditional lamps from Nachiarkoil in Thanjavur district, are to get the geographical indication (GI) mark very soon.

The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development has filed applications with the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, for the registration of ‘Pattamadai mats’ and ‘Nachiarkoil brass lamps.’

Chinnaraja G. Naidu, Assistant Registrar of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications said, “After receiving the applications, we have published them in the journal under the provisions of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. After a period of 90 days, by the end of January, we will grant the registration to the goods.”

Hand-woven mat

Pattamadai, a small village in Tirunelveli district, is the traditional home to a unique tradition of mat weaving by Labbai Muslims from ‘korai’ grass grown on the banks of river Tamiraparani.

A hand-woven superfine silk mat was even sent to Queen Elizabeth-II on the occasion of her coronation in June, 1953.

The traditional brass lamps are made in Nachiarkoil, a town in Kumabakonam taluk.