Ranchi: Jharkhand’s rich cultural heritage has received a significant new recognition with the traditional folk musical instrument ‘Mandar’ being granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai. The official GI database lists “Mandar Of Jharkhand” as a registered geographical indication under Application No. 777, with Raidih Mandar Producer Company Limited, Jarjatta village in Raidih block of Gumla district, as the applicant. The application was filed on September 24, 2021, and the geographical area covered by the registration is Jharkhand.
The recognition places the Mandar among Jharkhand’s distinctive cultural products and formally acknowledges its connection with the state’s traditional craftsmanship, folk music and community life. The GI application documented the instrument’s distinctive construction, locally sourced raw materials, traditional manufacturing techniques and acoustic characteristics, along with its longstanding cultural association with Jharkhand.
Gumla’s artisans at the centre of the initiative
Although the GI registration covers Mandar of Jharkhand, Gumla played an important role in the effort to secure the recognition. The application was filed by the Raidih Mandar Producer Company Limited, representing artisans associated with Jarjatta village. Reports on the GI process have highlighted the contribution of local artisans and the documentation of traditional Mandar-making practices.
The Mandar is deeply woven into Jharkhand’s folk traditions. Its powerful beats accompany traditional dances, festivals, community celebrations, cultural programmes and other forms of collective expression. For generations, artisans have preserved the knowledge required to make the instrument, passing skills from one generation to another.
The GI application was also supported by historical and ethnographic material documenting the instrument and its place in the cultural life of the region. Reports have cited works and records dating back to the early 20th century, including studies by Sarat Chandra Roy and Tarak Chandra Das, as well as W.G. Archer’s The Blue Grove.
What exactly is a GI tag?
A Geographical Indication (GI) is an intellectual-property protection given to a product whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are essentially linked to its geographical origin. In simple terms, a GI tells consumers that a particular product is associated with a specific place and that its distinctive identity is connected with that region.
In India, GI protection is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The law covers agricultural, natural, manufactured, handicraft and industrial goods.
A GI is different from an ordinary brand or trademark. A trademark generally distinguishes the goods or services of one enterprise, while a GI identifies goods associated with a particular geographical territory and the characteristics connected with that origin.
How can the GI tag help Mandar artisans?
The registration provides a stronger legal framework for protecting the geographical identity of Mandar of Jharkhand. Under Indian law, authorised users of a registered GI have the exclusive right to use the indication for the registered goods, and the law provides remedies against infringement.
For Mandar makers, the recognition can therefore help strengthen the identity of the traditional instrument, support genuine producers and improve its visibility in wider markets. The GI system is also intended to help preserve traditional knowledge and strengthen the market identity of locally produced goods. The Government of India has highlighted GI protection as a means of supporting traditional communities, improving market recognition and protecting cultural heritage.
However, a GI tag by itself does not automatically guarantee higher income for every artisan. Its practical benefits depend on factors such as authorised-user registration, quality standards, market development, promotion, access to buyers and effective enforcement.
A cultural identity now protected by law
For Jharkhand, the Mandar GI tag is more than a formal intellectual-property registration. The instrument represents a living tradition in which music, dance, festivals, community life and craftsmanship come together.
The recognition gives the traditional instrument a formally protected geographical identity while drawing wider attention to the artisans who continue to make it. With its name now recorded in India’s official GI registry, the Mandar of Jharkhand has gained a new platform to reach audiences beyond the state.
From village festivals and traditional dances to national and international cultural platforms, the beat of the Mandar now carries an officially recognised identity of Jharkhand.
Key Facts
- GI product: Mandar of Jharkhand
- GI Application No.: 777
- Applicant: Raidih Mandar Producer Company Limited
- Location of applicant: Jarjatta, Raidih, Gumla, Jharkhand
- Application filed: September 24, 2021
- Geographical area: Jharkhand
- GI status: Registered
- Category/Class: Class 15; the official GI database lists the goods as handicrafts.
