PIDIYA PAINTING-A FOLK ART OF BHOUPUR

PIDIYA PAINTING-A FOLK ART OF BHOUPUR

15-JUNE-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------'Pidiya' painting, a folk art form from the Bhojpuri-speaking region, is a distinctive style of folk art from Bihar that has primarily been created by women during traditional festivals and social occasions. This art form vividly depicts folk life, family relationships, religious beliefs, and rural culture through the use of natural colors and traditional symbols.

Receiving the GI (Geographical Indication) tag will provide new national and international recognition to the Bhojpuri 'Pidiya' art form. This will create new employment and income opportunities for local artists. Furthermore, this achievement will strengthen campaigns such as 'Vocal for Local' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India).

A GI tag provides legal protection for a product's uniqueness, quality, and geographical identity. The process of granting GI tags is handled by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.

This achievement will prove to be a significant milestone in preserving Bihar's cultural heritage and promoting the state's traditional industries.

Sanjeev Sinha, a senior painter and President of Sarjana Nyas, explained that obtaining a GI tag is a lengthy process; Sarjana Nyas had applied for it last year. The tag was granted following multiple levels of scrutiny and hearings.

Key contributors to this process included Mr. Gautam Kumar Singh (Chief General Manager, NABARD), Mr. Ranjit Sinha (former manager, Bhojpur), and Padma Shri Dr. Rajnikant (General Secretary, Human Welfare Association, Varanasi), who assisted with the legal procedures and documentation. Additionally, the artists, associates, and well-wishers associated with Sarjana Nyas played a crucial role.

Obtaining the GI tag will not only establish Bihar's cultural identity but also provide livelihoods for thousands of artists. He stated that securing the GI tag for these products is not merely an achievement but the beginning of a new cultural journey.

He remarked, "GI registration not only grants a product legal identity and protection but also enables it to establish a strong presence in national and international markets."