MANGALURU: Having a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the government helps products fetch better price and no other producer can misuse the name to market similar goods. It has been almost a year since attempts were being made to revive the traditional Udupi Sarees and despite having a GI tag, weavers have not yet obtained authorisation to use the tag. Mamatha Rai and her husband B C Shetty, working towards the revival of the handloom Udupi sari, have formed Kadike Trust along with others with the objective of nurturing traditional environment friendly production techniques and documenting indigenous knowledge. The trust is supported by Shivamogga-based Charaka, a women’s cooperative founded by Prasanna Heggodu, and they have approached several weaver societies in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi with the hope of reviving the industry.
Udupi sari wait for nod to use GI tag
