Dumka celebrates GI Tag milestone as district moves to set up craft village
A new chapter in the preservation of indigenous heritage unfolded at the Collectorate auditorium on Wednesday as the district administration formally honored the artisans and organizations behind Dumka’s five Geographical Indication (GI) tagged traditional crafts.
Presiding over the felicitation ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Abhijit Sinha conferred mementos, shawls, and certificates of appreciation on local artists and institutional facilitators. Highlighting the broader significance of the accomplishment, Sinha stated that securing GI status is not just an administrative milestone, but a testament to generations of artistic resilience and unyielding labor that have preserved the district’s rich cultural ethos. He observed that Dumka’s traditional arts encapsulate the region's tribal memory, folklore, and collective identity, calling on all stakeholders to actively take these crafts beyond Jharkhand’s borders to nationwide and international arenas.
Turning the focus to sustainable livelihoods, the Deputy Commissioner underscored that intellectual recognition must directly translate into tangible economic dividends for rural creators. He assured the artisan community that the district administration stands fully committed to addressing their systemic challenges, facilitating market linkages, and providing necessary institutional resources. Stressing that generational continuity remains key to survival, Sinha urged seasoned masters to train the youth, observing that infusing traditional workmanship with contemporary design and targeted marketing will ensure these arts remain a thriving source of income for coming generations.
The celebration marked the formal GI recognition of five foundational folk art forms of Dumka. These include the ancient scroll paintings of Jadopatiya, lost-wax metallurgical casting in Dhokra, traditional handwoven Panchee-Parhan textiles, and the sacred one-stringed Banam musical instrument, all supported by Shreya Sansthan. Also honored was the tribal puppetry performance Chadar Badoni, championed by Janmat Shodh Sansthan.
During the event, Shreya Sansthan Director Amit Kumar Singh and Janmat Shodh Sansthan Secretary Ashok Singh were felicitated for their pivotal roles in safeguarding and documenting these indigenous traditions. Responding favourably to a formal proposal submitted by craft representatives demanding an integrated ‘Art and Craft Village’ in Dumka for live exhibitions, retail exposure, and regular artisan training, the Deputy Commissioner instructed administrative officials to initiate the required procedural groundwork to bring the project into fruition.