102. Solapur Pomegranate

Solapur Pomegranate grown in Maharashtra are known for its attractive colour, smooth and glossy outer Rind, round and large shape. Pomegranate is having juicy covering around its seeds called arils. The number of arils per fruit, size and weight of arils of Solapur Pomegranate is significantly high than other varieties. 

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is the most favourite table fruit belonging to the Punicaceae family. Origin of Pomegranate is Baluchisthan in Iran and Himalaya in northern India. It is grown commercially in arid and semi-arid regions of India. 

According to National Horticulture Board of India, Maharashtra State is considered as “Pomegranate Basket” in India, largely contributing to Pomegranate cultivation. Solapur is a ‘Pomegranate Hub’ of Maharashtra.

High temperature and low moisture content in the atmosphere for sufficiently long period of Solapur District is apparently responsible for obtaining unique tastes with desirable acidity for these Pomegrantes from Solapur. "Ganesh" and “Bhagwa” are famous Pomegranate varieties cultivated from Solapur District. 

The arils are crushed in cloth to remove the juice and separate the seeds. Then seeds are dried in sun for 5-6 days. The seeds are preserved by rubbing ash on them. Seedlings grown from Pomegranate seeds are used for transplantation after one year. Also “Guti Kalam” is a type of root stock used for planting the Pomegranate plant.

According to water availability, the planting period is decided. Mostly the plantation of Pomegranate is done in February-March or July- August. The land is ploughed 4-6 times to make the soil suitable for planting or growing plants. Pits are dug and are partially filled with soil, sand or murum. 

Before planting the Pomegranate seeds or rootstock in the pits, pits are filled with Organic fertilizers like well decomposed cattle manure, compost or farmyard manure. Seedlings grown in polythene bags or rootstocks are placed over it, and then covered with soil. Small amount of water is provided.

The plants usually bear fruit three years after transplantation. Pomegranate Fruits are mature in approximately 5-6 months from the period of flowering. Fruits are harvested when outer rind has gained distinctive colour and creates metallic sound after tapping. The harvested fruits are kept in shade for a week. This makes the skin harder and stands better in transportation.

The edible part of the fruit is the seeds having a fleshy covering and called arils, which are eaten fresh or used for making juice, jam and paste. The fruit peel, and the tree stem and root bark and leaves are good source of secondary metabolites such as tannins, dyes and alkaloids.

In addition, the fruit is also valued for its pharmaceutical properties. Since ancient times, Pomegranate is known as a “healing food” with numerous beneficial effects in several diseases. In Hindi language, it is well known said that “Sou Bimar Ak Anar” means one Pomegranate may sufficient for 100 Diseased. 

GI Tag Registration Date         : 03 June 2016

GI Tag Number                         : 502

Certificate Number                  : 271

Geographical Area                  : Maharashtra

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Solapur 413 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : MH/26/2021

4000 Nos of covers are issued and all the covers are numbered

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India post has also issued few special covers on Solapur Pomegranate, details of the same is furnished below. Not an exhaustive list but only covers from my collection.

Special Cover cancelled at Kagaon 413225 on 25th September 2021

101. Pattamadai Pai

Pattamadai Pai (Pattamadai Mats) are extremely delicate and highly valued  mats made with Korai grass (Sedge grass scientific name: Cyperus corymbosus Rottb.) grown on the banks of River Tamiraparani in Tamil Nadu. Their fineness ranges from 80 to 140 (counts) wrap threads for every nine inches of total warp width, the higher the count, the fine is the mat. 

The mats have weft of Korai grass and wrap of cotton or even silk threads. The mats are made in numerous colours and designs. They are usually rectangular in shape and are produced in various sizes to serve different purposes such as covering the floors, hanging on walls, mats for worshipping and sleeping, etc.

The fully grown Korai grass is cut and soaked in running water of river Tamiraparani and then split into fine strands. The outer part of the stem is used for weaving, while the inside portion of the stem is removed with a sharp-edged knife. 

The counts of the mat depend on how many strips of grass is cut into. The strips of grass are then dried in the hot sun and core is taken. The Korai grass is not exposed to humidity as they tend to turn black with exposure. As the dried grass strips turn a yellowish green colour they are boiled in a pot of water and then dried again. 

The dried grass is made up into bundles and then soaked in running water, so that the grass to swell up to three times its original size. Afterwards, it is dried again in the sun and then the outer layer is separated and differentiated by different grades.

The stripes are then dyed either with single colour or combined in traditional red, green and black colours. For Dyeing both natural and chemical dyes are used. The graded Korai grass is soaked in the isolated dyes so as to take colour. It is then dried in shade. 

These strands are woven into fine mats, which is result of centuries of experience and expertise. So supple and lustrous is the mat that it seems to be made of silk threads. The weaving is done on a floor loom, the process is slow and follows a basket weave pattern. 

The weft covers the wrap entirely and the pattern formed had an interesting striped effect of its own. For weaving one end of this wet grass is inserted in a hole of a long line stick, which can be compared to a huge needle. With the help of the stick, the grass is passed into the loom. 

Afterwards the stick and the grass is held on the both sides by hand and is twisted to give uniform roundness and strength. Then the reed is placed against it several times to keep it in position. After the weaving is complete, the mat is compressed to eliminate any unevenness. Once the weaving is complete, the mat is dried in the sun for a short while. It is then finished with a polishing stone.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 04 March 2013

GI Tag Number                         : 195

Certificate Number                  : 183

Geographical Area                  : Tamil Nadu

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Pattamadai 627 453

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : TN/17/2021

The cover has an replica of Pattamadai Pai. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.

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100. Toda Embroidery

Toda Embroidery is done using red and black threads on a white background producing a rich effect is practiced exclusively by the Toda women of Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. The thread is generously looped on one side of the fabric only. This embroidery is so fine that it is often mistaken as a weave at the first glance. 

The Toda term for the act of embroidery (and indeed for all forms of “stitching”) is kuty (or, more correctly, awtty), while the word for something that has been embroidered or stitched is kutyvoy. The Toda word for an embroidery motif is pukhoor and there are more than 15 (fifteen) traditional designs. 

The designs or patterns of the Toda embroidery are mostly symbolic ranging from floral and plant motifs to motifs representing animals, birds and insects. The majority of these traditional motifs are inspired either by nature or elements of nature such as sun, moon, stars, hills, slopes, etc. The Patterns are repetitive and No design or pattern is traced or implemented as outlines.

The Toda women embroider with factory made needles. The threads used by them are traditionally black and red only. The threads so used are in wool. The fabric is a coarsely woven white cloth. The main and only stitch used in this embroidery is darning stitch, done from the back of the fabric.  

The Toda’s basic embroidery technique is to count the threads of the white base woven material and then cross-stitch to form the desired pattern It is done in the counted thread technique, following the right angles of the warp and weft threads of the coarsely woven off white material and according to the required pattern, by executing the necessary stitches.  

In the Toda embroidery, the way the pattern is produced, is of “reverse stitch”, which means that the thread is carried on the reverse aspect, while the numeral that follows denotes the number of threads the embroiderer counts before reinserting needle. 

Similarly, “obverse” means that the needle is taken on the obverse side of the cloth and the numeral that follows denotes the number of threads counted. 

This results in geometric patterns and this hand embroidery looks like a woven technique. The Toda embroidery is reversible and one can use both sides. What is unusual, however, is that the embroidery is done in wool on a cotton background. The reason given is the fast colours in red and black in cotton yarn cannot be guaranteed.

The Todas consider the ‘rough’ obverse side as the front side, with its generous looping of threads that is the display side and the not the far neater, reverse side. However, most outsiders feel quite the opposite. 

The Toda embroidery is the most visible expressions of the artistic heritage of the Todas. However, “traditional” patterns are used to embellish the cloak in which to wrap a corpse, while “modern” designs are those embroidered near the coloured stripes and borders of a modern-day cloak for the living. 

Apart from the cloak, nowadays Toda embroidery is used for adorning a range of products like pouches, spectacle cases, luncheon sets, table cloths, table mats and other similar accessories, bedspreads, runners, shawls, stoles / dupattas (veils), which brings them a steady income.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 04 March 2013

GI Tag Number                         : 135

Certificate Number                  : 187

Geographical Area                  : Tamil Nadu

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Udagamandalam 643 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : TN/18/2021

The cover has an replica of Toda Embroidery. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.

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India post has also issued a postage stamp on Toda Embroidery. Details of the same are furnished below

Sheetlet - Embroideries of India - Toda Embroidery
Issued on 19 December 2019

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India post has also issued a picture post card on Toda Embroidery. Details of the same are furnished below

Toda Embroidery Picture Post Card
150 years of Nilgiris District - TamilNadu Circle
Issued on 17 September 2018

Back Side Scan. Cancellation from Udhagamandalam - 643 001

099. Eathomozhy Tall Coconut

Eathomozhy tall coconut comes under the West Coast Tall variety of coconut and grows well in the saline red soil found in Thengapattinam, Colachel, Rajakkamangalam, Alathankarai, Eathamozhi and Puthalam in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. 

The unique morphological traits found in this variety are of a superior genetic constitution and it is unsurprising that there is great demand for the seedlings of Eathomozhy tall coconut across India and Asia. However, this variety exhibits its full genetic potential only in this geographical location and this is greatly attributed to the traditional knowledge of the farmers.

Eathomozhy tall coconut is known for its strong hardy stem, large crown with 30 – 36 leaves, good size fruits with generous amount of fibre in the thick shell, kernel and high percentage of copra and oil. The tree can reach a height of about 30 metres and can live for about 80 – 100 years. 

These trees are visually pleasing with large green leaves and green or light green oblong-shaped nuts. This is a rainfed crop and the agro-climatic conditions results in high yield and excellent nut quality. This indigenous variety shows remarkable resistance to diseases and pests.

The dehusked coconut known as Kottar coconut fetches a premium price in markets across Tamil Nadu. A brown fibre is prepared from this nut by retting the husk in the backwaters and used to make special ropes that form a part of the cottage and small-scale industries. This rope is known for its strength and fetches a high price.

The nuts of this variety are supplied to desiccated coconut manufacturers, copra makers and industrial product manufacturers across Tamil Nadu. The coconut oil made from this variety contains lauric acid and fatty acids and is used in cooking, to manufacture soaps, cosmetics, hair oils, creams and tonics.

Coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coconut cream, coconut water from tender and mature nuts, coconut neera, coconut mats, coconut ropes and others are some of the main products of this variety that have considerable domestic demand and export potential. 

GI Tag Registration Date         : 10 July 2008

GI Tag Number                         : 110

Certificate Number                  : 72

Geographical Area                  : Tamil Nadu

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Eathomozhi 629 501

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : TN/16/2021

The cover has an embossed image of Eathomozhy Tall Coconut. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.

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India Post has also issued a Postage Stamp on Eathomozhy Tall Coconut, details of the same are furnished below.

Postage Stamp Extracted from Souvenir Sheet 
"Geographical Indications : Agriculture Goods"
Issued on 13 February 2023

098. Arani Silk

Arani silk saree is one of the oldest, traditionally crafted styles of silk sarees worn in the state of Tamil Nadu. Arani silk are woven with intricate designs, twisted yarn, specialized weaving in border designs and extensive zari work. These sarees are as gorgeous as Kanchipuram silk, but famous for its lighter weight and make wonderful drapes for casual evenings and formal work wear .

Until 1995, only small motifs or buttas were created on traditional Arani silk sarees using a technique called “Jungu” or “Adai”. Later Jacquards were introduced to weave wide varieties of contemporary and trendy designs. Now there are three different varieties of Arani Silk. They are 

Dobby Variety - traditionally woven sarees using Dobby with single thread warp (yarn running horizontally) and single thread weft (yarn running vertically). The border has thin line of Zari (gold thread). The saree weighs about 300 grams.

Korvai Variety – in this variety the body and border part of the saree are interlaced, to give solid colour border. It is known as contrast weaving (Korvai). The body and border of the saree has different colours. Again single warps were used for these sarees. The weight about 450 to 600 gms. This type can be produced with border on one side or Double side of the silk sarees.

Self Border Variety - Sarees woven either with one side or double side border, but without interlacing (korvai) the body and border is known as self border Saree. This may be woven either with single warp or double warp with single weft or multiples up to 3 strands.

Mulberry silk is twisted to suit the preparation of Arani silk sarees and transferred into warp and weft. Pure silver Zari coated with Gold is used as the other raw material. 

Warp and weft raw silk contains silk gum (sericin) which constitutes about 20% to 30% of its total weight. Unless the gum is completely removed, silk does not exhibit its characteristic luster, smoothness as well as softness and tends to dye unevenly. 

The common method of removing gum from raw silk is to treat it in a hot solution of soap. The de-gummed silk is dyed with required colour. To increase the colour fastness the dyed silk is dipped in Acetic Acid mixed water and let to dry. 

The warp, which is dyed and furnished for production, before mounting to a loom, is subjected to warp preparation by weavers. The warp is dipped in rice kanji mixed with water (porridge) and let to dry to season them to endure the weaving and rolled into warp cylinder. 

The warp, which was prepared and rolled in the cylinder, is joined with the warp yarns already left after weaving in the reed, by matching each filament.

There are two types of looms in the Arani area - Pit Looms and Frame Looms. Arani dobby sarees are produced in the Pit looms. Korvai one side and double side with zari and silk border sarees are woven in the Frame looms, by utilizing jacquard boxes. 

GI Tag Registration Date         : 28 March 2008

GI Tag Number                         : 92

Certificate Number                  : 61

Geographical Area                  : Tamil Nadu

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Arni 632 301

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : TN/20/2021

The cover has a small replica of Arani Silk Border along the length. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.

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097. Applique (Khatwa) Work of Bihar

Applique (Khatwa) work of Bihar an ancient craft of patchwork with used waste pieces of cloth, practiced mainly by women in Sitamarhi and Madhubani districts of Bihar. Traditionally it is done with white cloth on bright backgrounds like red or orange. So fine was the work that, in the past, the articles produced were used by kings, emperors, and the nobility.

Today this Appliqué work is done for their personal garments or for commercial purpose. The colours range from scarlet, orange, and yellow, to pale green, mauve, and white. In garments like caps and blouses, embroidery is combined with appliqué. 

Most of the raw materials are produced on cream markeen fabric and occasionally in other coloured shades of casement fabric. Coloured handloom is used for saris, kurtas, and dupattas, and sometimes tussar silk is used in making stoles and jackets. 

The motifs include human figures, trees, flowers, animals, and birds. Circular cut-work is for the central motifs and quarter-circles are used for the corners. The background colour and the foreground appliqué motifs are cleverly arranged to give the design an entirely new dimension.

A master chart of the appliqué designs, called awalkhana, is prepared on the cloth before the work is executed. First outline of the design is traced or drawn directly onto the cloth. Then the coloured cloth is also outlined and cut to the desired shape and size and stitched on the base cloth. Stories and compositions are prepared by the women who also choose their own colours and themes. 

The stitching in Khatwa cloth is a practical way of connecting three or four layers of cloth together. The balance between what stitches do-patch, repair, connect and hold layers together and what the stitches can become narrative elements is a key to understanding the artistic expression of the women in Bihar

The applique and patchwork of Bihar is commonly found on wall hangings, Shamianas (decorative tents and canopies that are used on festive occasions, and on religious and social ceremonies), and even on saris, dupattas, cushion covers, table cloths, curtains, bedspreads, bolster coverts etc.

The Khatwa craftswomen also have used hand woven silk and naturally dyed cloth. The two principal items of this craft continue to be used today as modern utility items such as cushion covers, curtains, tea cozies, table-cloths, curtains, blouse pieces and sari borders. 

The canopies are made of thick background materials, usually red or orange, appliquéd with geometric patterns cut from thin white cloth. The walls of the tents bear designs of flowers, birds and trees. The vibrant colors used in the appliqué reflect the joyous mood of the revelers.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 23 November 2007

GI Tag Number                         : 73

Certificate Number                  : 44

Geographical Area                  : Bihar

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Madhubani 847 211

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : BH-09/August,2021

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Interestingly the back side cover description describes about Applique drawing work - a special type of Rangoli prepared during Mithila Deity Worship. However GI Tag is issued for Applique Patch Work.

096. Bhavani Jamakkalam

Bhavani Jamakkalam refers to blankets and carpets traditionally manufactured in Bhavani in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. Jamakkalam produced in Bhavani are very thick and long lasting. With sparkling colours, these Jamakkalam’s have a very delightful look. 

The tradition dates back to the 19th century when a group of weavers called the Jangamars in Bhavani located in the banks of Cauvery in Erode district started producing blanket using coarse cotton threads that were called as Jamakkalam. Colour dye and water of Bhavani town make grand appearance of Jamakkalam’s possible.

Yarn is the basic raw material. Before weaving, the yarn is dyed in hot liquid dye and then removed and squeezed and sun dried. In the earlier days the colours used were black, blue and khaki. These were extracted from vegetables such Kadukkai husk (Gall nut), Annabedhi (Green Vitriol) a blue colour yielding medicinal creeper, along with turmeric and indigo were used for dyeing.

The process of dyeing involves extraction of required dye first, which involves soaking in earthen pots and then crushing into a mixture to get the required colour. Weaving is done is thrown shuttle in a Pit loom. Once the required length of the carpet is woven, the warp thread is cut and knotted at the ends.

Uniqueness of the Bhavani Jamakkalam for centuries has been in its weave of multi coloured cross bar effect on both side of the carpet / spread. Bhavani Jamakkalam is closely knit that the warp is invisible, on account of this it is heavy and of considerable weight. 

High on everyday utility value, these traditional carpets of Tamil Nadu were woven in various sizes to suit different requirements — puja mats for one person to sit on, dining mats for a short row of guests and so on. For weddings and other social gatherings, jamakkalam s would be custom-woven to the dimensions required.

Bhavani Jamakkalam is used as part of the warm clothing costume requirements of the common people. It forms a part of collection of gifts that the brides and the bridegrooms are vested with and the new born children are made to lie on it because of its smooth and fine texture. It is also used as “Joolah” a small spread put on the cow with a pair of ‘nandis’ on the two ends and a ‘shivalinga’ in the centre.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 05 July 2005

GI Tag Number                         : 16

Certificate Number                  : 13

Geographical Area                  : Tamil Nadu

Special Cover Release Date   : 26 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Bhavani 638 301

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : TN/19/2021

The cover has a small replica of Bhavani Jamakkalam. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.

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