Handicrafts — GI Products of India

What are handicrafts GI products?

Handicraft GI products are objects made largely by hand in a particular place, using local materials and techniques passed down within artisan communities. This is the largest category in this catalogue and includes paintings such as Madhubani, Pattachitra and Thanjavur, wooden toys from Channapatna and Kondapalli, metalwork such as Bidriware, carpets, embroidery, pottery, mats and papier mache.

Why a GI matters for handicrafts

Handicrafts are vulnerable to imitation because a machine or a factory can copy their surface look at a low price. A GI names the place and sometimes the process, which gives artisans a way to protect their livelihood and gives buyers a way to recognise real work. For many of these crafts, the tag is also a form of cultural recognition, acknowledging skills that might otherwise fade.

How to verify handicrafts products

To check a handicraft, look for signs of the process. Hand painting shows small variations in line, hand carving shows slight differences in depth, and hand-knotted carpets show individual knots on the back. Ask for the artist's name and village, and check whether the seller is a cooperative or a certified emporium. Prints and moulded copies are fine as decor, but they should not be priced as originals.

Using this section

Each product page in this category lists materials, techniques and identification tips, along with where to buy from authentic sources. The state pages show how crafts cluster in particular regions, such as Karnataka's wood and metal work, Odisha's painting and Kashmir's carving and carpets.